Kathy Speakman Obituary


KATHY JANE (TENOLD) SPEAKMAN
December 19, 1948 ~ April 16, 2016

Kathy J. Speakman, 67, of Amboy, WA, passed away April 16, 2016 at PeaceHealth SW Medical Center after a brief battle with cancer.

She was born in Vancouver, WA and graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1967.

Raised on a dairy farm, Kathy worked at Nabisco for 42 years, making cookies even as she made close friendships. She could be found outside when not at work, growing beautiful flowers that will continue to draw visitors for years to come. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crafts and hobbies. A devoted wife and mother, she had a ready smile and a musical laugh. She loved her friends and family; they loved her in return.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Richard; sons, Shawn and Todd; daughters-in-law, Kristin and Whitneyray; sister, Louise Kentch; brother, Garry Tenold; niece, Torri Villines; nephew, Zac Tenold; and granddaughter, Anaya, whom she adored.

She was preceded in death by her father, James Tenold; mother, Idell Tenold; and sister, Barbara Winters.

A Celebration of Life in her honor will be held on Sunday, May 15th at 1:00p.m. at the Amboy Grange Hall.

Please sign her Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.

Published by The Columbian on Apr. 20, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
for Kathy Speakman

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Thinking of you all xxx

Anita Salmon

April 14, 2020

Mrs. Speakman may you rest in peace and know that your spirit and charisma will live on thru the lives of your two wonderful sons Todd and Shawn as well as the many other lives you have touched. Your grandchildren will be proud and honored to know that you are their grandmother!

Salinas Family

April 26, 2016

Praying that God's love will comfort the Speakman family,reminding them again and again that they are not alone.Love and Blessings!

Donna Tresner

April 22, 2016

Kathy you will be missed peace be with your family

Pattie Skip,Soctty Benge

April 20, 2016

It was a joy knowing Kathy , meet her at one of our Marine reunions great gal ! enjoyed her telling me about the raffle ticket for the car !! These are sad times for the Speakman family right now but know that you have many friends and family that share your sadness with you .
Kathy your are the wife of a Marine so Chesty is up there waiting to talk care of you until the time comes for Richard to join you .
Till then
Semper Fi
Pvt Barber

April 20, 2016

I regret she wasn't able to meet her new grandchild. Her boys are proof of what an amazing mom she was and would have been a marvelous grandma. Deeply saddened, Shawn and Todd. Take good care of yourselves, Judine Brooks

April 20, 2016

The first time I met Kathy she talked about looking forward to having grandchildren. Shawn and my daughter, Kristin, were newly engaged! I so wish you could have met Shawn & Kristin's firstborn! Rest in peace! You raised some awesome sons!

Sherry Lamb

April 20, 2016

Katrhy was an absolute blast to be around . Kathy & I worked together in the Mid 1960's and she made coming to work tons of fun . Rest in Peace Kathy , the Good Lord will take wonderful care of you .

Leroy Pierce

April 20, 2016

It was a blessing to have known and worked with Kathy.. She will be dearly missed.. ❤ To her family may our Heavenly Father be with you!

Victor& kaye Weekes

April 20, 2016

3 things that will forever remind me of Kathy. Oreos, Twinkies, and rhododendrons. Sweet and beautiful, just like her.

Leslie Fitzgerald

April 20, 2016

Kathy was a great person to know & to talk to. She & Rick helped me when I went through my head /neck cancer treatments. At our A CO. 1st Bn. 5th Marine reunions Kathy lighted up the room with her smile. We will miss her.....

Rick & Barb Lewis

Rick & Barb Lewis

April 20, 2016

I'm so sorry to hear of her passing!
We always talked about our kids & how she thought she might never have grandchildren! So happy that she did get to see the one. She will be forever looking over both grandkids as they grow!
Kathy & I had many talks over the years at Nabisco! I loved working with her. Prayers to husband Rick & to both Shawn & Todd!

Dotty Hoesly

April 20, 2016

Love you Mom. Thank you for all that you did for us. You were our rock, our everything. We never went without, even though you may have. No matter how much money was tight, we always has the cleats, bats, shoes, lunch money, etc. You were the best mother. I will miss you dearly. Rest well.

Eternal love,
Your son, Todd

Todd Speakman

April 20, 2016

My mom. She was the first light of my life.

We shared many bonds -- a love of nature, a love of reading, a love of helping people in need. She made friendships everywhere and those friends loved her as fiercely as I ever could. The way her eyes lit up when amused and how ready her smile was for those who needed it will leave people missing her for a long time. A long time.

She was at my side the two times I had cancer, a mom even into my adulthood. She never spoke ill of people -- something most of humanity hasn't figured out yet.

She loved her husband. A few days before her passing, my father stood at her beside, looking down into her eyes. A stoic man, he said with a rarity I hadn't heard, "I love you." She said through the pain, "I love you too." The bond between them palpable and strong. And in that moment, I saw true love during the hardest of times.

The last two months of her life, she fought the cancer like hell. She was strong, even as she breathed her last breaths. On that last day, she told me she was sorry she couldn't meet my firstborn, the baby born a few days after her passing. Even at the end, she was thinking of others -- thinking of my pain -- instead of herself.

These words are inadequate to distill who she was. I will miss her forever. Like many who knew her, I have a hole in my heart that will never heal.

All I can do is live my life by her example -- with love for everyone. She was the best of us.

I will miss you every day, Mom.

Shawn Speakman

April 20, 2016

The last time I wrote on a guest book was when your mother and my mother passed away on the same day. Now here it is 6 years later and I'm writing on yours, your life was cut way to short. I'm sorry for your family loss and missing the birth of your second grandchild. I remember you telling me you didn't think you would ever have grandkids so I'm so happy you knew your granddaughter and knew your second grandchild was on the way. You'll be missed by so many friends and family. Elaine

Elaine Nielsen-Thompson

April 20, 2016

Condolences to all the family.
Cousin Ron Spreadborough

April 20, 2016

You know how you walk into a dark room with one candle and with that one candle you like the rest the candles so that others can see,that's what Kathy did we will miss You. Bob

Bob Larsen

April 20, 2016

Going to miss you a lot enjoyed working with all those years Enjoyed seeing you and Rick at the car shows. Will miss you very much my friend

Cindy jENNINGS

April 20, 2016

Thinking of you and your family xxxx

Anita Salmon

April 20, 2016

She will be truly missed. My prayers are with the family.

LaJuana Hall

April 20, 2016

I knew you too briefly, but you always wore a smile and always laughed readily. Your sons' love for you speaks for the quality of your heart and light.

Todd Lockwood

April 20, 2016

To the Speakman family,
I only had the privilege of meeting Kathy once at Kristin's bridal shower. The light within her was beautiful and contagious. I'm glad I had the opportunity to meet her. My deepest condolences to all of you.

Nicole Hancock

April 20, 2016

The world has grown dim, the bright light that was Kathy has left this earth. She will be forever missed, and forever cherished. There is a new star in the sky and a new light to guide her family and friends. I truly believe she will forever keep watch on her growing family. Rest easy dear Kathy.

Lisa Alba

April 20, 2016

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow

Keith Beavis

April 20, 2016

She was a very special Lady! Love and prayers to All of you. Jeanine & family

Jeanine Brigham

April 20, 2016

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