Tanksley, Kathleen (Sorensen)
Kathleen Sorensen Tanksley was born April 9, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA, the only child of Joseph Smith Sorensen and Edith Hayden Sorensen. After the family moved to Spokane in 1957, Kathleen attended Marycliff High School, excelling in debate. She graduated in 1959 and enrolled at Gonzaga University that fall. She interrupted her education to marry dashing young attorney Raymond R. Tanksley Jr. in 1960 and to raise a family that eventually grew to include four children. After the children were grown, Kathleen resumed her education, earning a BA from Whitworth College and a MA in Art Education from Eastern Washington University. She taught art history at Eastern Washington University, Spokane Community College and Gonzaga University, where she also served as a docent at the Jundt Museum. Kathleen was an active member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, and was especially proud of her service as chair of the Art and Environment Committee when the new church was built. Kathleen passed away August 15, 2019 in Spokane. She is survived by her daughter Claire Estep, son Michael Tanksley and his wife Sloka, son Edward Tanksley and his wife Hiroko, and daughter Ann-Marie Krulak and her husband Adam. Kathleen enjoyed fine wine, reading mysteries, gardening, history, travel, and investigating new restaurants. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, her zest for living, her unfailing common sense, loyalty to her friends, and love for her family.
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