Kathleen Clare Underwood

Katie died peacefully in her home on Saturday, May 11, 2024.  Katie was born in Tacoma, WA on February 19, 1964 to Joseph and Mary (Fitzmorris) Underwood.  She graduated from Visitation Catholic School and Bellarmine Preparatory High School.  She was a lifelong member of the Visitation Parish.  Katie was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters Nora McQuade and Mary Susan Velarde.  She is survived by her siblings Michael Underwood, Margaret (Don) Forseth, Steve (Maxine) Underwood, Kevin (Tamara) Underwood, Maria (Tom) Padukiewicz, Chris Underwood, 14 nieces and nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews.

Katie loved the Mariners.  Some of her favorite hobbies were puzzles, softball (she was known for her pitching skills), camping, river rafting and traveling.  She had recently returned from a trip of a lifetime.  She spent a month in Ireland with longtime friend Nanci (Estabrook) Ubben.  They celebrated their 60th birthdays with family and friends who made the trip to celebrate with them.

Katie was a licensed Massage Therapist in Tacoma for 28 years.  She truly cared about her clients and considered many of them friends.

She worked at and oversaw the BBQ Pete’s restaurant at the Puyallup Fair for many years and built lifelong relationships with her coworkers.  The Fair will not be the same without her.

She was also a long time volunteer at Visitation Church (now known as South Tacoma Chapel).  She had deep faith and was at peace in her relationship with God.

Through all these endeavors she touched a lot of lives and helped many people. But the role she loved most was that of Aunt Katie.  Katie was thoughtful, generous and kind to her nieces and nephews.  She cherished the time she spent with them and they loved their Aunt Katie so much.

Katie was a caring daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  She was full of life and we lost her way too soon.

Funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 18, 2024 at 9 am; eulogy will be read at 8:45 am at South Tacoma Chapel (formerly Visitation Church).  Viewing will be held Friday, May 17, 2024 from 5 to 8 pm and Rosary will be recited at 6:30 pm at Gaffney Funeral Home.  Internment at Calvary Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to South Tacoma Chapel or Pope Saint John XXIII Stem Academy (formerly Visitation School).  Donations in Memory of Katie Underwood can be mailed to South Tacoma Chapel School, 3314 South 58th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409.