Kathleen Ann Davis, 67, of Bountiful, Utah, beloved wife, mom, grandma, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully while hugging her husband on July 12, 2025, at their cherished family cabin in Island Park, Idaho, following a long, courageous battle with PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy).

Born on September 6, 1957, in San Mateo, California, to Jack Sayre Hollen and Beverly Jean Hollen, Kathy was raised in Mountain View, California.  As a child, she played with her brother in the fruit orchards that became Silicon Valley.  These early adventures sparked her lifelong curiosity and love for discovery.

A 1975 graduate of Awalt High School, Kathy was a member of Job's Daughters and a varsity cheerleader, where she was known for her spirit and warmth.  She continued her education at Foothill Junior College and became a certified SCUBA instructor, conducting open water certification dives in Monterey Bay.  In 1977, she transferred to Oregon State University, where she was a member of Delta Gamma and earned a B.S. in Food Science in 1980.  During her studies, she participated in dairy tasting competitions and helped develop commercial cookie recipes, honing her skills as a scientist through hands-on learning.

It was at Oregon State that Kathy met Phil, the love of her life, in October 1977.  They married on July 6, 1980, in Los Altos, California, and soon after settled in Bountiful, Utah, building a life filled with love, laughter, and family.

After spending her early career in the sciences, from working at Clifford Pharmacy in Los Altos to quality control laboratory work at Smucker's and other stops in the food industry, Kathy took a break from work to focus on raising her two wonderful boys, Jack and James.  Summers were spent fishing at local ponds, exploring small discoveries in the yard, and transforming the kitchen into a hub of playful science experiments and learning.  When the boys started school, she pursued her true professional passion – teaching science.

Starting as a K-6 science specialist at Bountiful Elementary, Kathy sparked curiosity and wonder in young minds.  Motivated to deepen her impact, she earned a Master's in Education at Weber State University, joining the NSCS and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Societies along the way.  She expanded her expertise with endorsements in gifted and talented education, ESL, and middle school science.

Kathy's teaching journey included second and fourth grades at Centerville Elementary, and seventh and eighth grade science at Millcreek Junior High.  In the whimsical "Land of Read-a-Lot," her inventive spirit transformed book reports into royal affairs, complete with crowns, tunics, and confident second grade readers.  Her fourth graders enjoyed field trips and interactive experiments that brought science to life outside the confines of textbooks and worksheets.

Known for her infectious enthusiasm, Kathy inspired generations of students to explore with open eyes and questioning minds.  Her lessons extended beyond the classroom into kitchens, gardens, and starlit skies, all with the goal of nurturing a lifelong love of learning.  She also served as a science fair director, supporting students' passions throughout her teaching career.  She received numerous awards for her dedication, including the Utah Arbor Day Award, Apple for the Teacher Award, a KSL Teacher Feature, and was the inaugural recipient of Roann Parkinson Science Director Award.  In 2007, Kathy was inducted into the Davis School District Hall of Fame.

While raising her boys, Kathy was a Cub Scout Den Mother, co-founded the St. Olaf School Dinner and Auction with Phil, and volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 220.  An avid lover of beautiful landscapes, wildlife, and travel, she treasured trips to national parks, especially Yellowstone and Grand Teton.  Kathy also had a special fondness for Alaska.  Her monthly visits to the log cabin she built with Phil in Island Park were filled with joy and countless family memories.

Her many hobbies reflected her vibrant spirit – gardening, sewing, cooking, hiking, skiing, and paddle boarding. She crafted Halloween costumes each year for her boys, baked cookies to brighten others' days, and filled her home with Christmas cheer all year round.  A dedicated and tireless worker, she often stayed up late to finish projects, grade papers, or create memorable birthday celebrations.

Kathy had the remarkable gift of finding the positive in any situation, a superpower that guided her through life, comforted others during difficult times, and helped her conquer cancer with grace and determination.  For Kathy, hardships were challenges to be met, frowns were smiles to be turned upside down, and every moment of the day was an opportunity for silliness, laughter, and kindness.

To anyone who met her, Kathy was a ray of sunshine.  Her infectious smile could light up a room as soon as she entered, and she made everyone feel welcome and loved.

She is cherished in memory by her husband of 45 years, Phil; her sons Jack (Amanda) and James (Ileana); grandchildren Charlie and Lily; her mother Beverly Hollen; and her brother Jack Hollen.  She was preceded in death by her father, Jack Hollen Sr.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 6, 2025, from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at the Natural History Museum of Utah, a place where Kathy joyfully brought her children and hundreds of students on field trips over the years.  The celebration is open to all who wish to honor her memory.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a Kathy Davis Science Scholarship Fund (details forthcoming).

We are forever grateful for every moment shared with Kathy.  She made us better and left the world a brighter and kinder place in ways that will be felt for generations.  Her energy and enthusiasm for life leaves a legacy reflected in the eyes of her children and grandchildren.