Katherine Elizabeth FisherRedding, CA1920 - 2017Katherine Elizabeth Fisher, of Redding, CA passed away in San Juan Capistrano, CA, surrounded by her family on February 14, 2017. She was 96 years old.Katherine is survived by her husband Melvin Fisher, children Gary Lowe (Lahna) of Louisville, KY, John Lowe (Lorraine) of Gold Beach, OR, and Frank Fisher of San Jose, CA; her 10 grandchildren; her 18 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Effie Bashor of Bellflower, CA; her 5 brothers, her daughter, Lillian LaGrave of Santa Cruz, CA, and 2 grandsons, Bradley Lowe and Chad Fisher.Katherine was born on September 21, 1920 in Bellflower, CA, the youngest child and only girl of 6 children. She was a bright, precocious student and graduated from Excelsior High School at the age of 16. Katherine married Gareld Lowe and together they produced 3 children. After her divorce, she met and married her second husband, Melvin Fisher and together they had one son. Once all her children were in school, Katherine began working for Norman's Chicken House as a hostess. Her tiny stature, flair for fashion, and vivacious personality made her a community and workplace favorite. Albertson's Markets later employed Katherine as a Deli Manager and sent her all over Southern California. She retired at age 55 to move up to Redding with her husband.But retirement didn't last long. Within a couple of years Kathy (as most in Redding knew her) and Mel were instrumental in creating the Jones Valley Volunteer Fire Department. She took EMT courses and learned to rappel down a mountainside at age 56. As the most petite member of the squad, she was often the one sent into tight spots. When she reached her 70s she hung up her firefighting gear, but she didn't stop working. She devoted the next ten years to the Shasta Valley School District working in the cafeteria at both Shasta and Foothill High Schools. She thrived surrounded by all the young people. After retiring once again at age 80, Katherine still found it hard to be unemployed. Sitting still was not in her makeup.Katherine loved Lake Shasta, and even though she never learned to swim, some of her happiest hours were spent bobbing in the water with her life preserver ring strapped to her waist. Her patio boat was her prized possession and every year she looked forward to getting it back in the water. All day picnics out on the lake with family and friends made her summers complete.Her children and grandchildren will always remember her as the pie baking champion of the universe, and the one person who never forgot a birthday. Her love for shoes, dangly earrings, and bright, colorful clothing made her a stand out in a crowd. She would have been on everyone's best-dressed list. Katherine loved to talk to people, and the telephone kept her close to friends and family when her fading eyesight no longer allowed her to drive.Katherine got her first laptop computer at age 90 and soon after had a Hotmail account and a Facebook page. Her Kindle became her best friend as technology allowed her to continue her passion for reading. Always on the go, always willing to try something new, she refused to let age slow her down.After a short illness, Katherine passed away peacefully in her grandson's home on Valentine's Day, her favorite holiday. She will be remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, a supportive wife, a caring neighbor, and a giving friend.A memorial is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Thursday, April 6 at the Northern California Veterans Cemetery in Igo, CA., with a reception to follow at 2 p.m. in Fisher Hall, Jones Valley Volunteer Fire Company, 14680 Ravine Road, Redding, CA. All who wish to attend and celebrate Katherine's life are welcome. Please sign the guest book at http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/redding/