Kathryn Jean “Kathy” Mathis, 68, passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in Phoenix. Services were held April 12 at Greer’s Mortuary Chapel in Winslow, with Jonathan Leonard officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Sammy Keams, USMC, Ferris D. Keams, U.S. Army, Roald P. Begay, U.S. Navy, Sherri L. Helton, U.S. Navy, Kelby A. Moore, U.S. Army, and Michael McGahey, U.S. Navy. The family received relatives and friends at Dilkon Nazarene Church after the services. She was born July 23, 1947, in Winslow. She was born for the Big Water Clan and born into the Red House Clan. She was a longtime resident of Dilkon. Kathy graduated from Flagstaff High School and attended Northern Arizona University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from DeVry Institute of Technology. She was a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving from 1966-1969. She was employed with the Arizona Water Commission for two years, then spent the next 15 years with Westinghouse Electric Corporation in Phoenix. Kathy also joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Superstition Mountain Flotilla 10-6, from 1978-1985 and served in various positions, including Flotilla Commander. After returning to Dilkon, Kathy held positions with the Navajo Nation and Navajo Tribal Utility Authority. She was well known for her custom made contemporary and traditional clothing, as well as special sewing projects for friends, relatives, the local school and community. Most recently, her ongoing project was designing and sewing aprons. Kathy was a passionate and devoted fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Her favorite artist was Elvis. Survivors include her sister, Gail Calisen of Dilkon; and her three brothers, Mike Begay, Ron Begay and Roald Begay, all of Dilkon. She was preceded in death by her father, Samuel H Begay, a World War II and Korean War veteran, USMC, and one of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers; her mother, Zella Keams Begay; and her grandmother, Alice K. Gishey.
