Submitted by Tim Schaefer–
Kathy was a Sacramento native and lived in Citrus Heights for more than 30 years. She was a graduate of Hiram Johnson High School, an employee of the Sacramento Bee (classified advertising) most her career and raised her children on Trilby Court in Citrus Heights. She was a friend to everyone she met, an attentive caregiver to her parents and husband at the end of their lives, and relentlessly positive and kind.
Kathy battled breast cancer too often the past 30 years (she was BRCA2+) and it is what ultimately took her life. During her cancer battles, she rarely complained and amazed everyone with her positivity in the face of side effects from medications and pain.
Kathy’s three children, Robert Wardlow (Brandy O’Brien), Kristina Wardlow (Tim Schaefer), and Haley Karish (Marc Karish) could not have asked for more in a mother. She was courageous, humorous and concerned about others until the end of her life.
Kathy also leaves behind her brother, Larry Ruff, and nine grandchildren: Jacob, Alexis, McKenzie, Tresten, Ally, Michael, Benjamin, Katherine, and Samantha. She is pre-deceased by her parents, Opal and Clem Ruff, and her husband of 31 years, David Draper.
*Publisher’s Note: As a free service to family members who have lost a loved one, The Sentinel publishes online obituaries of Citrus Heights residents or former residents at no cost. To submit an obituary, click here
