Kathleen Louise Theobald

March 28, 1936 — March 17, 2024

Bountiful, UT

Kathleen Louise Theobald returned to her Heavenly home on Sunday, March 17, 2024. She passed away peacefully from Congestive Heart Failure.

Kathy was born on March 28, 1936, to Wilbur and Dorothy Ling, the eldest of six children. She was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, (during the 1936 Johnstown flood), where she spent her first seven years. Her family then moved to Rochester, New York, where she graduated from Monroe High School in 1954.

On June 29, 1950, when she was 14, Kathy and her family were baptized and became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized in a small pond just outside of Palmyra, New York.

Kathy was a social butterfly who preferred visiting with friends to doing schoolwork. She attended BYU for a short time and then returned home to attend Rochester Business Institute, where she received her secretarial business degree.

Kathy met her sweetheart, Neil, at a dance while living in Utah. She often reminisced about their fun dating and courtship days. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple on April 5, 1961, and were faithful, loving companions for 60 years.

The majority of Kathy’s 35-year career was spent at Lincoln First Bank and then Chase Bank – working as an executive administrative assistant. She was sad when it was time to retire. She loved the “bank.”

Kathy was a true friend. She loved and cared about people. She always had a kind word to say about others and loved to serve her friends, family and church family. She could often be found checking in on friends and family through calls, letters, and visits. She had the biggest heart and most beautiful smile, which lifted all who saw it. If you knew Kathy, you had a friend.

Kathy was a huge fan of Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra. Her all-time favorite song was “New York, New York”. Whenever it came on the radio, her smile quickly lit up the room as she tapped her fingers and wiggled her toes. She also enjoyed cooking and baking. Her specialties included potato salad, carrot cake, pepper steak, cream of cherry cheesecake, and the family favorite: chocolate orange-drop cookies.

After Kathy’s retirement (in 2002), she and Neil moved to Bountiful, Utah. Although it was difficult to leave her dear friends in Rochester, Kathy was grateful that she stayed in touch with so many in Rochester and spoke of them often. She also cherished the dear friendships she cultivated in Bountiful – with neighbors, at church, and with doctors. She never passed up a chance to connect with a friend.

Kathy’s family is especially grateful for the time she generously spent with them. She loved supporting each of their special interests … playing board games and cards, attending grandchildren’s plays, dance recitals, baseball games, scouting, etc. Oh, how she loved her children and grandchildren.

Kathy served in many ways at church, including as a loving minister as well as in the Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. She and Neil served a mini-mission in the Rochester Inner City Branch and then served together in the Palmyra New York Temple. Kathy always loved serving in the temple and enjoyed doing her family history. She had many papers filled with names and a memory full of family stories.

How sweet it is that Kathy is back home with Neil and her parents, as well as many missed family and friends.

She is survived by her two children, Steven (Hope) Theobald of Bountiful, Utah, and Kimberly (John) Zebley of Beaver, Pennsylvania. Her grandchildren include: Trey (Johnnie) Zebley, Cambria Zebley, Sam Zebley, Leah Zebley, Seth (Lydia) Theobald, Emily Theobald, Grace Theobald, and Scotty Theobald. Kathy’s siblings are Dick (Maureen) Ling, Jim (Cathy) Ling, John (JoAnne) Ling, Debbie (Ron) Nelson, and David (Marsha) Ling. There are many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Kathy’s family wishes to extend a special thanks to all of her caregivers, especially Vasiti Tuimoala, Manu Lea’iVaha Langi Fifita, and her Hospice nurse, Julie Tew.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Bountiful Utah South Stake Center, 1250 S. Main Street, Bountiful, Utah, 84010. Friends and family are invited to pay their respects from 10:00-10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services.

Following the funeral, interment will be at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 S. 200 W. Bountiful, Utah, 84010.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary Live Facebook page and on this obituary page. The live stream will begin 10-15 minutes prior to the services and will be posted below.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kathleen Louise Theobald, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Saturday, March 23, 2024

10:00 - 10:45 am (Mountain time)

Bountiful South Stake Center

1250 S. Main Street, Bountiful, UT 84010

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Funeral Service