ForeverMissed
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This website is created as a space to share your memories and thoughts with the huge community of people who loved Kathryn.

**A Little Free Library has been established in Greenbluff, WA in Kathy’s honor. It is charter #163435, download the app or visit LittleFreeLibrary.org for directions**

In lieu of flowers, her family asks you to consider donating a favorite children’s book to a local Little Free Library or supporting Reach out and Read,  https://reachoutandread.org, a non-profit that works to get books into the homes of children.

Tributes

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Julie France
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Kathy, I have known you since 7th grade. Your vibrant, beautiful, sparkling soul left a radiance that will never be dimmed. The memories you leave behind are a legacy and testament to your incredible, selfless heart. What a mark you made on this earth. I walked with you during our graduation from high school and you always emanated joy, hope, and confidence. I pray you are at peace, and know that you were so very loved by so many.
Ashley Wyckoff
March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023
You were such an incredibly sweet person! I’m so thankful to have known you. Storytime won’t be the same. It was so special that you knew my kids names and happily interacted with them. I am heartbroken for your family and we will miss you. Gone far too soon.
Corinne Brown
March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
My son and I met Kathryn at the Shadle Library. She introduced him to bubbles. The first time she blew some for him he screamed with joy. She always made a point to blow bubbles when and where she could for him and always called him by name. She respected small children in a way that I found endearing and inspirational. She introduced us to our favorite playtime song "Open, Shut Them". Every time we do a little "clap, clap, clap" at the end and my son laughs and giggles it is all because of her and the sunshine she brought into our life. We were certainly on the periphery of her life but she absolutely made an impact and we will truly miss seeing her.
Aileen Selander
March 18, 2023
March 18, 2023
Dear, dear Kathy. I'm so glad I knew you from when you were a precocious little niece, to a bright, friendly girl, to a fun loving teen, to a young mother and then on to a dependable, sweet sister and just outstanding human. You were usually a ringleader among your siblings and among your cousins. You took care of everyone. I'm so glad I knew you. I wish you were still here. We will love you by supporting the men around you that you loved, Cody, Isaiah, and Brandon.
Darrin Huff
March 18, 2023
March 18, 2023
Thank you for being such a great and positive energy in my life. I will be forever thankful for knowing you.
❤️
Lucas McIntyre
March 17, 2023
March 17, 2023
Kathryn, what to say? All the trivia nights at Jones, and all the smiles and big hugs in the years after will live in my heart forever. You had a beautiful, gentle soul and touched everyone around you. Safe travels on the other side and save me a seat for trivia.
Jeff Freedman
March 17, 2023
March 17, 2023
Kathryn, what happened? That was a short visit to earth wasn't it.. I hope you can let us know what this all means.. And what we're supposed to do with life here. Hardly knew you but for some reason tears are shed.. Met you in Japanese class at UW.. May you shine the Holy light to your family for eternity..
Rachel Dunn
March 15, 2023
March 15, 2023
Kathryn, you and I only met once or twice, but your amazing soul left an impact on me that will last forever. I was nervous and shy, in a city that I was unfamiliar with and knew literally one person, and you were an instant friend. I felt comfortable and at ease around you instantly, and that is not something that comes easy to me. That is a testament to your easygoing attitude and warm spirit. I wish you and your loved ones comfort and peace.
Heather Clarke
March 15, 2023
March 15, 2023
Kathryn, I will miss your kind heart and sweet smile. I loved talking about hiking, nature pics, and our shared love of all things planty. Wishing you peace. XO

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Recent Tributes
Julie France
March 31, 2023
March 31, 2023
Kathy, I have known you since 7th grade. Your vibrant, beautiful, sparkling soul left a radiance that will never be dimmed. The memories you leave behind are a legacy and testament to your incredible, selfless heart. What a mark you made on this earth. I walked with you during our graduation from high school and you always emanated joy, hope, and confidence. I pray you are at peace, and know that you were so very loved by so many.
Ashley Wyckoff
March 23, 2023
March 23, 2023
You were such an incredibly sweet person! I’m so thankful to have known you. Storytime won’t be the same. It was so special that you knew my kids names and happily interacted with them. I am heartbroken for your family and we will miss you. Gone far too soon.
Corinne Brown
March 19, 2023
March 19, 2023
My son and I met Kathryn at the Shadle Library. She introduced him to bubbles. The first time she blew some for him he screamed with joy. She always made a point to blow bubbles when and where she could for him and always called him by name. She respected small children in a way that I found endearing and inspirational. She introduced us to our favorite playtime song "Open, Shut Them". Every time we do a little "clap, clap, clap" at the end and my son laughs and giggles it is all because of her and the sunshine she brought into our life. We were certainly on the periphery of her life but she absolutely made an impact and we will truly miss seeing her.
View all 9 tributes
Gallery
Kathryn @ Josh n Carlie's Wedding reception
My kids loved her storytimes so much, and I love that she called them "little hams."
Kathryn rolled a pair of leggings into her hair for this #bookfaceFriday.
BookfaceFriday was always more fun with Kathryn!
Kathryn's origami display at the East Side Library.
Kathryn and I were part of a team from the library that read to kids at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Kathy was always ready to jump into a costume!
I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with her and her son (hiding in the flowers). ❤️
View all 78 items
Her Life
March 19, 2023
by Aquila Brown
We lost Kathryn Illback on March 8th, 2023 and we are devastated. There is little sense or understanding in the loss of someone so beautiful and kind being suddenly and completely gone.

Her family describes her as the sun they orbited around, her warmth and kindness seen and felt everywhere. Her friends and chosen family know her to be smart, positive, adventurous, and open hearted. She tried so hard to be what everyone around her needed. She was unselfish because that's who she was and not because people were watching or a promise of something better in the next life. In every situation Kathryn chose to be the good in the world. She traveled, she read, she hiked, she loved cookies and cheese, sometimes together. Her plants, pets and people thrived around her.

Kathryn believed Spokane deserved good library services and she strode to provide that. Fluent in reading and speaking Japanese she nurtured the love of anime and manga in a generation of Spokane teens through Anime and Pokemon clubs as an information specialist at Spokane County Library District. She helped dramatically increase storytime attendance for Spokane Public Library during her time as a early learning specialist, resulting in storytime attendance accounting for more than 70% of the library system's overall program attendance numbers. Her eyes clearly showed the joy the children and families who attended her storytimes provided. She was a positive force in so many lives.

Mourning her loss and celebrating Kathryn's life are her son Isaiah Hardin, fiancé Cody Liddicoat, parents Carol and James Illback, siblings Brandon and Mary Illback, and puppies Cupcake and Broly. Her friends and family invite you to remember and share your own stories at a memorial service on Sunday, April 30th, 2023, 2:00 pm at Ft. Mukogawa, 4320 W. Owens Ridge Road, Spokane.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks you to consider supporting Reach Out and Read, https://reachoutandread.org, a non-profit that works to get books into the homes of children.

"And when your sorrow is comforted (time soothes all sorrows) you will be content that you have known me. You will always be my friend." -Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/spokesman/name/kathryn-illback-obituary?id=51024078
Recent stories
April 27, 2023
by Xica Moore
I met Kathy in high school, most likely through Aquila. It’s been 20+ years since then so that specific detail has escaped me. What I so fondly remember though was how fun and positive Kathy was - like all the time! She was always a force for good in this world, even way back then. She has left such an amazing legacy of love & kindness; I know her spirit will live on through her family, friends, and everyone she encountered in her time here on Earth. Praying for Kathy’s family & friends as they walk through this different season in their lives
April 25, 2023
by Justin Clearwater
I'll never forget meeting Kathryn my freshman year and she was one of the most beautiful souls that I've had the pleasure to meet. The world lost a wonderful soul but her presence is felt by all whose path she crossed.
March 22, 2023
by Sarah Tosch
I was just thinking about the time in 1999 when Kathryn and I skipped school to attend the WTO protest in Seattle. That was quite the day, I remember the energy and also getting on the overly full last bus back to suburbs.
View all 10 stories

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