Kathleen E. DeClercq, age 76, a 31-year resident of Greenbank, died at Careage of Whidbey on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2006.

Mrs. DeClercq was born in San Diego, Calif., on Apr. 14, 1929, to John Spillman Hess and Dorthea Elenor (Priest) Hess.

Kathy’s parents died when she was a young girl, and she lived in Los Angeles until her teen years, being raised by her aunt Leonona Priest Davison and her grandmother, who she affectionately called “Momsie.” She moved to Seattle, where she lived with her aunt Hughena (Priest) Saluteen for several years.

She was employed by the phone company, was a waitress and worked for Western Union.

Kathy was married to Robert DeClercq on March 11, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Seattle. They resided in Seattle for a while before moving to Rock Island, Ill. for four years. They then returned to Seattle. Subsequent moves were to Vashon Island, Lake Forest Park (12 years) and Clearview (five years) before moving to Whidbey Island in 1975.

Kathy had a vivacity for life which included photography, belly dancing, gardening, camping and bird watching. She was widely known for her artistic abilities in the area of oil and water color. She studied with some of Seattle’s leading artists. Her works have been accepted in numerous area shows, including the Frye Museum Puget Sound Area Exhibition, Bellevue Arts and Crafts, Edmonds Arts Festival, Coupeville Art Festival, Choochokam and Mercer Island, all of which won her awards and ribbons. She is a member of the Women’s Painters of Washington, Seattle Co Arts, Quad A, and her paintings have been exhibited in Marti’s Gallery, Kindred Gallery, Matzke Gallery in Seattle, Peter Kirk Gallery in Kirkland and La Conner Gallery in La Conner.

Kathy is survived by her husband Robert, at home in Greenbank; two sons, Craig DeClercq and wife LaVena of Greenbank and Jeff DeClercq and wife Carol of Sedro Woolley; four grandchildren, Roy Sturtevant of Clinton, Lance Bison of Lake Stevens, Tara Bison of Seattle and Shane Bison of Bellingham.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19 at Burley Funeral Chapel, with Pastor Grafton Robinson officiating. Arrangements under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.