Katharyne (Kitti) Marye Hamilton

Kitti was born in Olympia, Washington on July 16, 1935 to Mark and Madelon Hamilton.  She graduated from Aquinas Academy in 1953.  She married Shelby Cocke in 1956 and the marriage ended in 1975.  She earned a degree in Education from the University of Puget Sound in 1977.  Eight children were born to her, Mark (Betty), Brett, Jonathan, Dana (Pam), Douglas, Michelle (David) Anne (Mike), and Michel (Shelly).  She is also survived by nine grandchildren; Rui, Chelsea (Pete), Isabella, Michel, Carter, Madison, David, Cameron, Catherine Rose and two great grandchildren, Christian and Stella.  She also leaves her brother Mike (Pam), nieces and nephews, and her lifelong friends, Betty McClain and Janet Bentley. And her beloved dog, Gunner.  She appreciated all the help given her friend, Bill, through the years.

Her life was spent with children; raising her own and establishing two private schools and three day care centers.  One of her centers was among the first nineteen in the country to earn accreditation from the National Academy for the Education of the Young Child in 1983.  Her advocation was teaching and learning.  She was an advocate for children and her renowned work ethic showed everyday.  She also was trained as a reading-specialist teacher for the select Slingerland Reading Program for children with severe dyslexia.  And, she continued to tutor students' until she was 80 years old!

She loved to teach, laugh, and counsel anyone especially in her patio-garden.  Quite the wordsmith, her hobbies included playing Scrabble, watching Jeopardy, and no word ever dared to get by her in Crossword puzzles.  In her later life, she became a expert gardener growing dahlias, vegetables, and various herbs.  She also enjoyed devouring the newspaper everyday, watching PBS, listening to classical music, bird watching, reading literature, and researching family and friends' ancestry.  Christmas Eve was time for a spectacular feast prepared by her and many other holidays she loved to host as her children we are forever thankful for this endeavor.  She loved to visit Hawaii and Moclips, Washington especially in the summer which was her favorite season.  Trained in the classics including history, art, religion, and politics, she was a great conversationist on these subjects.  She is predeceased by her parents, her brother, Mark and daughters-in-law, Shannon Cocke', Michiko Watanabe, and her beloved Aunt Florence.

The family would like to thank Dr. Slim and staff from the Pulse Institute, Dr. Gafour and staff from Swedish Hospital, Landmark Home Health Care, Multicare at Allenmore, and caretakers Jaylene, Teresa, and Natalie. Funeral Services provided by Gaffney Funeral Home, and buried at Calvary Cemetery.  Due to the current pandemic, the family will be having a small service for her.  We invite people to go to Gaffney Funeral Home online at www.gaffneyfuneralhome.com to share a story or remembrance about Kitti.  In leui of flowers, Kitti would like you us all to put away the electronics, and read with your family, or go to the ocean and read a book on the beach!