In Memory of Kathleen

Earlier this week, many in the Bay Area were touched by the story of a woman who died in San Francisco’s Stern Park as she concluded a walk with her dogs. A large redwood branch broke off a tree and crashed into Kathleen Bolton, 50. She died a short time later after being taken to the emergency room by ambulance.
We at FETCH knew Kathleen only in passing. We first met her during the 2006 Bay Area Pet Fair, where she volunteered for Grateful Dogs. We know she fostered several dogs, include Katrina rescues. We saw her at other dog events in Marin and San Francisco. We asked someone who knew her well to provide us with some words in memory of Kathleen. Molly Maloney of Pooches Playtime sent us the following. More information about Kathleen and her life can be found at www.kathleenbolton.org.

Kathleen Bolton died suddenly on April 14th, 2008, while doing what she loved to do...walking her dogs. I met Kathleen about 20 years ago through dog walking interests. At that time she was just beginning to look into the business as she had just taken in a young boy who needed a home and thought he might like to work with her to walk dogs. We became fast friends.
Kathleen did not limit her rescue work to just dogs. Over the years she took in anyone who needed a little help and asked for nothing in return. She always put all of her time and energy into everything she did. If she was fostering a dog, she took the time to attend training classes. If you called to talk she gave you all her attention and really listened. I was hospitalized once and she put together a care team to assist me without ever being asked. That was just her way.
Kathleen was herself disabled, but it never impeded her from enjoying life fully or helping others, especially the dogs.  She gave of herself freely, offering a warm hug and a genuine smile. Her absence is like a hole in my life and in the lives of all her were fortunate enough to know her.