Kathleen Elizabeth Clas

It is with great sadness that the family of Kathleen (Katie) Elizabeth Clas announce her unexpected passing. Kathleen Elizabeth Clas, age 75, passed away in Boulder, CO on August 14, 2023.

Born June 26th 1948 in Plattsburgh, NY, daughter of William and Joanne (Shea) Clas. She lived in Palm Springs, CA. Katie graduated from Marian High school in Omaha, NE and then went on to graduate college from University of Texas Austin with a Bachelor’s in Biology. She worked as a chemist at Colorado School of Mines and later at Cyntech Lab, where she helped develop Naproxen (Aleve). She married Kevin Dunn in 1984 and had two children, Shea & Riley. Katie was very proud of her children, and adored them. Katie is remembered for taking her children on elaborate summer road trips all across the US and Canada, reaching 48 of the 50 by car (including Alaska!). No distance was too far or adventure too great. The summer road trips were a very special time.

Katie was very active all the way up to her very last step. She spent her afternoons hiking in the mountains above Palm Springs, and swimming and relaxing by the pool during the day. A common scene would be Katie laying by the pool, sheltering her head from the sun.This was not in an effort to shield herself, no Katie loved the heat, this was a precautionary measure to ensure her Bose headphones didn’t melt in the blistering 116 degree heat, so she could continue her marathon of listening to her favorite YouTubers.

Katie was no stranger to colors and designed and sewed her own clothes when she couldn’t find what she was looking for. She extended this talent to her daughters clothes, including sewing a beautiful first communion dress. Color played a role in her everyday, from the clothes she wore, her paint palette and the pink lipstick she wouldn’t leave the house without. She brightened up any room.

Those who knew Katie well, knew she moonlighted as a landscape painter and that she was an epic reader.
Her photographic memory, combined with her unquenchable thirst for knowledge, produced an uncanny ability to hold her own discussing virtually any topic. She was known for picking up books and even textbooks, and reading purely out of curiosity. Her boisterous “gift of gab” was infectious, unmistakable from across the room.
Kathleen was a member of the Palm Springs senior center book club and had recently learned to play and
joined a Mahjong group.

Kathleen is survived by her partner, Sal Savia, her son Riley Dunn, daughter Shea Tabb, her grandsons James and Jack Tabb , son in law David Tabb, sister in law Lois Clas and several nieces and nephews. Kathleen was preceded in death by her mother and father, stepmother Francis Clas, and her two brothers, Daniel and Thomas Clas.

Our family grieves the loss of her infectious laugh, the story telling, the jokes, her spunk, her dances in the living room, and the intellectual person she was. She will be greatly missed and we thank everyone for all your love and support. We take comfort in knowing she’s been reunited with her brothers and parents, who she loved dearly.

A Memorial Service will be held at a future date—check back for service announcements.

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