Kathleen "Kathy" Cardenas Tapia passed away on Nov. 26, 2021. She was 59 years young. She was born on Nov. 7, 1962, in La Puente, Calif., and was the eighth of 10 children born to Enrique and Guadelupe Cardenas.

Kathy will best be remembered for her fiercely independent and free spirit, as a dedicated and hard worker, and for her boundless creativity. As a master crafter, she taught classes and enjoyed sharing her items at craft shows and fairs. She also loved animals, and her beloved pets, whether furry or feathered, were always there to welcome her home. She was also known for her signature outfit of overalls, and made the spiciest, burn your mouth off salsa around!

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Carolina Cardenas Martinez of Fort Stockton, Texas, and Carmelita and Lisa Cardenas of California; brothers Louis Cardenas of Anaheim, Calif., and Fernando P. Cardenas of Seattle, Wash.

Kathy was a devoted mother, and is survived by her only son, Brian G. Cardenas; and four grandchildren, Israel Celaya, Kristen, Jayden, and Bella Cardenas, all of Fort Stockton.

She will forever hold a place in the heart of her long-time love of 14 years, Martin Grey of Hollywood, Fla., and sisters Susan Pool of Killeen, Texas, Margie Prince of Tennessee, and Diane Rodriguez and brother Ronnie Cardenas, both from Los Angelas, Calif., and their spouses. She has many nieces and nephews who all hold special memories of their Tia Kathy.

No memorial service is immediately planned. The family will notify loved ones in the future when a service may be scheduled.