Kathleen W. Koenig, born June 1939, in Cleveland, Ohio, died peacefully at home on Thursday July 9, 2015. She was born to Clayton and Loretta Welsh and lived in several cities throughout the Eastern States before moving to Louisville, Kentucky at the age of 15. While living in Kentucky, Kathy fell in love with horses and became accomplished at English horse riding and jumping with her horse Tassie. 

Kathleen graduated from Marquette University's School of Journalism in Milwaukee Wisconsin. During her time at Marquette she met her future husband, Charles "Chuck" Koenig. So many of their initial dates were to Marquette basketball games that Kathy thought she had gotten involved with a real basketball fanatic until Chuck confessed that it was because the admission price was the best deal in town. Kathy and Chuck married on September 2, 1961 and moved to Denver, Colorado, where they started their family which eventually grew to include four children. Denver was the first of several cities where they lived before settling in Salinas, California in 1972.

While her children were young Kathy spent much of her time volunteering in her children's schools, at their swim meets and for various community organizations. She thoroughly enjoyed cooking and was considered a wonderful chef by her family and friends. Once her children were grown Kathy enjoyed being a tour chaperone for seniors with many trips to San Francisco for the symphony, opera, and shopping. She and Chuck also had the pleasure and enjoyment of traveling the world together; venturing to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and her favorite - Patagonia. She loved being on or near the water and made sure to incorporate ferry rides into her travels and San Francisco sailboat rides into birthdays and family celebrations. 

In 1981 Kathy joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which led to over 30 years of involvement with the AA community. She was a leader and sponsored many individuals throughout Monterey County deriving much pleasure and joy from being able to help others.

Kathy will be missed – anyone who ever met her knows that no one was a stranger in her presence. She is survived by her husband, Chuck; three daughters, Anne Werth (Steven) of San Francisco, Karen Koenig-Johnson (David) of Corte Madera, and Sarah (James) of San Rafael; one son, Michael (Beth) of Boxford, MA; one brother James Welsh of Tampa Bay, FL; and seven grandchildren - Alina, Ryan, and Jonathan Werth; Emily and Nick Johnson; and Lily and Charlie Koenig.

There will be no memorial service. 

In lieu of flowers the family suggests, for those who wish, a memorial contribution to either
Beacon House in Pacific Grove http://beaconhouse.org/ or Door to Hope in Salinas http://doortohope.org/