February 19, 1950 – April 26, 2024
Kathleen Marie Kensinger a beloved sister, aunt, great aunt, and esteemed member of the Glendale, Ca. community, passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024. Kathy was the 4th of 9 children born and raised in Mishawaka, Indiana by her parents Robert and Virginia Kensinger.
Her life journey was marked by a dedication and commitment to serve others. She graduated Ancilla Domini High School in Donaldson, Indiana and protested the Vietnam War while a student at Indiana University. She graduated Indiana Vocational College with a degree in Industrial Cooking.
To see the world and continue her education, she joined the US Air Force in 1970. She joked that she was selected to serve her country because “she looked good in a uniform and was cute.” She was stationed in Florida, Texas, and the Philippines where she processed the POWs going home from Vietnam. She was a staff sergeant and received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. After leaving the service, Kathy graduated Cal. State Northridge with a degree in Liberal Studies. Kathy became an advocate for women veterans and was a charter member of the California State Commission for Women Veterans. She worked to include a woman in the original design of the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Sacramento, California. This was the first memorial to recognize the 15,000 nurses and doctors that served in Vietnam. She was a charter member of the Military Women’s Memorial in Washington, D. C. and helped to get that memorial completed. She was a member of the American Legion Hollywood Post 43 and served as Adjutant in Southern California’s 24th district and was on Mayor Bradley’s Veteran’s Advisory Committee, City of Los Angeles.
Kathy was a Democratic Party political activist and traveled extensively to register voters in key elections. She was an elected Democratic party committee member in Glendale, Ca. and was honored by the L. A. County Democratic party with both the Truman Award and the Franklin & Eleanor Roosevelt Award for her volunteerism, activism, and leadership. Kathy served the less fortunate by collecting and distributing more than 6,000 pairs of socks for the homeless. She was a volunteer with the “Wellness Works” program that provides free services for U.S. veterans. She was an SEIU union organizer to promote the welfare of seniors and the disabled. Upon her retirement in 2023, she received a Certificate of Congratulations and a grateful salute from the City of Los Angeles for her many years of civic patriotism and service to humanity.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Robert and Virginia Kensinger (nee Miles), brother Michael, sister Georgianna, and sister-in-law Frances Kensinger. She is survived by her siblings Timothy, Keary, Mark, Paul, Maureen, and Loretta, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. In honoring Kathy’s memory, contributions may be made to WellnessWorksGlendale.org or Cancer.org. A celebration of life will be held at a future date in Glendale, Ca. and burial will take place in Mishawaka, Indiana. She was deeply loved and will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Peace.
