Obituary: Kathleen Dodge, 66,

January 14, 2021

Kathleen Dodge

Obituary: Kathleen Dodge, 66,

Kathleen Ann (Inglis) Dodge was born on January 7, 1955, to William and Carol (Wyns) Inglis in

Shelby, Michigan, where she was loved by all who met her. Her open heart and the early understanding that if someone needed standing up for it was her job to do it earned her admirers from all walks of life. She was a bright light and a scrappy fighter who strove to compete with her older brothers in sports and used this competition to excel at whatever she tried. She didn’t share the same kind of competition with her little sister, instead finding a bond with someone that would be there for her final breath at age 66 on Saturday, January 9, 2021.

After high school, Katie left Shelby to go in search of her calling. She married William Dodge in

1979 with whom she had a daughter, Sarah. Katie committed herself mind, body and soul to raising Sarah. Mother and daughter remained inseparable for the 41 years they were privileged to share. Living in a society in which our occupation defines us often makes us fail to realize what our most important role in life is, but Katie knew her true life’s accomplishment was being a daughter, a mom, and grandma. These were roles she wholeheartedly embraced making sure she was there for the difficult times as well as the good. Learning lessons from her mom rising to the highest levels of the male dominated banking industry during her childhood and being there when dementia stole her memories in her elder years, Katie knew she was a link in a chain of daughters. Katie was there the moment her granddaughter Lily was born to wrap her up in her arms and love. She swooped in a few years later to pick up the pieces when a heart was breaking to make sure her granddaughter was taken care of by two loving grandparents as her daughter’s world underwent the challenge of divorce. She was there a year ago to celebrate as

Sarah and Tom blended their family in a ceremony beside the river providing Katie with a son-in-law and grandson. To Tom and Fyn she was Gratie (Grandma Katie) and their infectious joy brought back her favorite pastimes: tree climbing and hide and seek in the forest.

Katie spent the last decade of her life as a caregiver for her dying father, dying husband, and her mother who survives her. After losing her husband to cancer two years ago, Katie was in the process of creating a new future and began planning how to spend her remaining years with her daughter and grandkids. While in the process of selling her house to buy one next door to Sarah, her dream of watching the grandkids grow up was cut short with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, the plan of living next door to the person she loved the most for the next 20 plus years was limited to three months of pain and suffering in cancer’s clutches. But in those painful days, Katie’s world was filled with love as Sarah accompanied her each step of the way, Tom sustained her with food and reassurance, and the grandkids visited and read to her. Heartland Hospice helped ease Katie’s transition beyond this life as their caregivers provided comfort in Katie’s last days.

There are so many things for people to miss about Katie, but the loss will be hardest to overcome for those who loved her the most. She leaves behind her mother, Carol Inglis; her daughter, Sarah Dodge; son-in-law Thomas Luebke; her grandkids, Lily Grandstaff and Fyn Luebke; and her siblings David (Pat) Inglis, Thomas (Pat) Inglis, and Betty (Scott) Poort. Also grieving her loss are lifelong friends, friends gathered along the way, and friends who became family.

A Celebration of Life will be held when it is safe to do her justice.

Memorial contributions in Kathleen’s honor may be directed to: Betsie Valley Community Center

P.O. Box 104 Thompsonville, MI 49683.

The Bennett-Barz Funeral Home, in Beulah, is in charge of arrangements.