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Kathleen Frances Bart, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, executive, artist and world traveler, died peacefully surrounded by family members on June 25, 2026. She was 86 years old. Born in Chicago in 1939 to Leroy and Edna Truschke, Kathy grew up with her older brother Jim and her younger sister Sandy. After beginning college in Chicago, Kathy married Edward David Bart, a newly commissioned Army officer, and they left Chicago for their first posting. They lived in several states while Ed was serving in the Army and Kathy embraced the role of a military officer's wife. Kathy's favorite assignment was Hawaii where their daughter Susan learned the hula and their son David was born. Before their children began elementary school, Ed left the active service, continuing his military career in the Reserves, and the family returned to Chicago to be near relatives. Ed and Kathy later moved to the Chicago suburbs to raise their children, and Kathy began to work at A&P, holding many positions including being a dock clerk and running the health and beauty aids department. While working and raising a family, Kathy continued to earn college credits and, in her forties, earned her college degree in computer science from Roosevelt University. She then began working at petroleum companies where she quickly climbed the career ladder and ultimately became a high-level executive. In retirement Kathy and Ed moved to California , where a new chapter of adventures began. They travelled to all the continents except for Antarctica, and all of the states except Louisiana and North Dakota. Kathy loved exploring new countries either by cruise ship or land such as Turkey, Russia, Morocco, Tahiti, Thailand and Australia. With her daughter, Susan, Kathy attended a Daoist festival on an island off of Hong Kong (where no one spoke a word of English) and conducted a flawless tea ceremony in Japan. Ed and Kathy also frequently returned to Hawaii, where their hearts remained and their leis returned when tossed from the Lurline. Their children and grandchildren would often join them there for vacations. In addition to their travels, in retirement Kathy and Ed also went to bridge tournaments, often winning and earning master points. A bridge highlight was competing with Bill Gates, another avid player. Kathy also volunteered as a Eucharist minister. She once flew a fighter plane, and when she took the controls only had one question: what did the large, unidentified button-absent from the manual she had carefully studied-do? She was told she would not need it because it was for dropping bombs. Kathy also enjoyed meeting wolves face to face; they would fight to be petted by her, lick her face, and even groom her hair. Kathy's innate creativity, demonstrated throughout her life in her interior design skills and her sartorial choices, blossomed in retirement. She began making kiln-fired glass art and later made necklaces and earrings. She made jewelry for family and friends, occasionally sold some at craft fairs, and often had to make a bespoke necklace for a new outfit. Her creativity even led to an accidental part-time job at Stein Mart, when management noticed her helping other customers assemble new outfits. She loved that job. Kathy was a strong-willed matriarch who deeply valued education and family. Kathy as wife, mom and grandma loved and protected her family fiercely, like the wolves and dogs she loved. She proudly watched as her children and grandchildren all achieved advanced degrees and career success. She became the family historian and genealogist. She embraced her role as grandmother. She'd make crepes with her grandchildren many Sundays and run to Michael's for last-minute school projects. She endured the blasting sounds of Call of Duty when her grandson Ryan was a teen and went on shopping trips to Abercrombie with her granddaughter Cara. When Cara started college, Kathy got a smartphone and learned to text so they could stay in close touch. Grandma's pies, especially apple or blueberry cream cheese, were always a treat. Kathy is survived by her devoted husband of over 65 years, retired Colonel Edward D. Bart, her loving children Susan Therese Bart and David William Bart, her children-in-law Peter Miller Blonsky and Alva Bart, and her grandchildren Ryan William Bart and Cara de Freitas Bart. Kathy's first great-grandchild was born to Cara and her husband, Ryan Flood, shortly after Kathy's death. Kathy is also survived by her sister Sandra Berger, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Kathy's ashes will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

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Kathleen Frances Bart

September 14, 1939 - June 25, 2026