Kathy's Family shared the following obituary posted in the Coronado Eagle on February 14, 2018:

Katherine Louise Stocker Zimmer passed on February 7, 2018. Bulbar ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) first took her voice and eventually took her body. To those fortunate enough to have had Kathy in their lives, know that we enjoyed her quick wit until her final day.

Kathy began her life in Guam 1948 as the fourth child of seven born to the late Dr. Capt. George and Betty Stocker. When her father was appointed Chief of Radiology at Balboa Hospital in 1960, the family had the good fortune to take up residence in Coronado. Kathy, a cheerleader and girl about town, graduated from Coronado High School in 1966. She attended Mount Saint Mary’s and graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Early Education.

At a time when flying was an elegant experience, she began a career as a Flight Attendant with Western Airlines based out of San Francisco and Honolulu. No one could wear a silk scarf quite like Kathy. Western Airlines gave her the opportunity to see the world, an opportunity that she took full advantage of. Kathy visited over 30 countries in her life, many more than once.  Kathy also made life-long friends while working for Western Airlines. When she accepted an early retirement with travel benefits in 1985, she and this close-knit group of life-long friends continued to explore the world together.  Kathy did not let her ALS diagnosis quell her voracious appetite for travel. She went to Greece, Mexico, Canada and was enjoying the Hawaiian sun earlier this year.

In the mid-80s, Kathy married and started a family. She returned to her beloved Coronado in 1999 to raise her three children. Kathy thrived in this community; she cherished relationships, both old and new, with neighbors, coworkers and former classmates. She made friends across town: at the community pool, meditation groups, book clubs, and many more. As a host mother to foreign exchange students Kathy was able share her love of Coronado and nurture young people on their journey to learning English.

Her last working years were spent as a champion of children, devoted nanny, and caregiver. She deeply valued curiosity and taught children to look inquisitively at the world. She always encouraged young people to keep their “eye on the prize,” and to live up to one’s own true potential (with the best manners and proper etiquette, of course). Kathy was recently made a grandmother by her son. Those who fondly remember Kathy’s wit and laugh will honor her example of inspiring and encouraging children by nurturing these qualities in her granddaughter.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Dr. Capt. George and Betty Stocker, elder sister Beth Stocker Vinland. Her memory is carried on in her daughters Alana and Juliet and her son Nick, his wife Jenny, and their new-to-the-world daughter Chloe Jane. Her spirit lives on with siblings Mary Ann Shaw of Memphis, Pat May of Coronado, Fred Stocker, Alice Stocker and Susan Stocker, all three of Coronado, and large extended family who loved her dearly.

She was strong and courageous – a quiet inspiration to others. She will be missed by all those who had the pleasure of knowing her and loving her.

Remembrances may be made to the ALS Association of San Diego [alsasd.org | (858) 271-5547] or the Blue Mountain Center for Meditation [bmcm.org | (707) 878-2369].

“Whenever you think of me, I’ll be with you.” - Eknath Easwaran