Kathee Marie Christie

Kathee Marie Christie was born in Kansas on 12/18/1957. She passed away in Lompoc California on 5/25/2021.

She attended grade school at St Joseph’s, followed by Shawnee Mission North High School. Afterwards, she went to the University of Kansas, to study art, and later studied improv comedy in L.A with the Groundlings.

Kathee had a variety of careers while following her inner compass. Her first dream was to become an improv comedian because she loved to make people laugh and had an amazing wit. She finally found her vocational passion with working outdoors by getting into the landscaping business after earning a certificate in Environmental Horticulture at Santa Barbara Community College. And for many years worked at Steve Hansen Landscaping as Director of Maintenance.

True to her spirit she was always the artist. Having participated in many art shows both in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara She would spend days and hours thinking about what she would paint. Her inspiration being the outdoors. She belonged to the Santa Barbara Art Association and the Santa Barbara Mesa Artists Group. Her work could be very colorful and inspiring or reflecting her thoughts about the times we lived in.

She was always a positive influence on children, any who crossed her path she would take them under her wing. Kathee is adored by all the nieces and nephews, and her passing leaves a big hole in the family. Her love for dogs, cats and all wildlife was apparent as she always left food for birds and raccoons as if they were her own pets. Kathee was also an avid reader and always had a book at her side. She loved history and traveled to Europe to visit many of the places she read about. She was also an avid baker of cakes and
cookies and an amazing cook.

Kathee is survived by her spouse Joyce Fryer, her parents Bill and Irma Christie, sisters Nancy Chalmers and Sharon Gidumal, and brothers Joe Christie and Michael Christie. Her passing leaves an unfillable (or vacant) hole in the Christie and Fryer families.

In her final days, she was surrounded by family and friends. Kathee will always be a beacon of
light for us on the other side and will be forever missed.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on July 16 th between 1-4pm at the Santa Barbara Veterans Memorial Building.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to:

Visiting Nurses Association of Santa Barbara/Community Pallative Care.