Kathleen Ann Piper

Kathleen Ann Varozza Piper was born in Sacramento, CA on July 25, 1948, and died on November 6, 2020, also in Sacramento.

Predeceased by her parents Vincent “Wayne” and Shirley Ann Varozza, and by her brother Randy, Kathleen is survived by her partner of nearly forty years Douglas Omand, her brother Scott and his wife Delisa and family, her daughter Stephanie and her husband Thaddeus and family, her step-daughter-in-law Bernadine and family, her step-sons Cameron and Kevin and families, her step-daughter Deana and her husband Randal and family, her two beloved granddaughters, Eliot and Abigail, her cousins Susan, Judy, Karen, and Jack and families, and multiple other family members and dear friends.

The eldest of three, Kathy, as she was known to most, was born in Sacramento, and spent her childhood between Fresno and the East Bay, graduating from Acalanes High School in Lafayette in 1966. Coming of age in the Bay Area in the 60s, Kathy was part of the social and cultural movements of the times, including the Free Speech Movement in Berkeley. 

After marrying and returning to Sacramento, Kathy took her first job as a teller for Bank of America. A fierce feminist, she ignored the antiquated social expectations that, once married, a woman’s place was in the home. She continued to build her career, even after her daughter was born, earning her the somewhat-derisive title of “career woman” by those less enlightened than she was (something she took pride in). Kathy began her career as a teller at the Sunrise branch in Citrus Heights, and worked for BofA for her entire professional career, ultimately retiring as Vice-President and Branch Manager of the Elk Grove branch. Colleagues became life-long friends, and long-time clients remember her for her impeccable customer service.

When Kathy retired, she continued to devote her energies to caring for others, taking care of her mother, her father, and, really, everyone else in her orbit. Those who knew her well, knew that she was giving and generous, and that she was an instinctive caregiver—indeed, she was always better at taking care of others than attending to her own needs.

She was kind and compassionate, but she did not suffer fools and was not afraid to speak her mind. She loved her family and friends, animals, reading, camping, cooking, entertaining, and a good, dry martini (with Beefeater gin and an olive). She especially enjoyed getting to see her two granddaughters, Ellie and Abbey, growing up and developing into young women, and chuckling at all of their shenanigans. Soft-hearted, strong-willed, intelligent, witty, articulate, sharp-tongued, and ever-independent, Kathy Piper lived and died on her own terms, and she will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.