Kathryn Smith Alexandra , BHS 1960

Kathryn Smith Alexandra, BHS 1960 

Anacortes, Washington

June 8, 1942- June 27, 2026

Kathryn Alexandra was a passionate environmentalist, caring nurse, and great adventurer who loved the outdoors and all its creatures. She surrounded herself in beauty, with master gardens that exploded in color and birdfeeders that drew in woodpeckers, hummingbirds goldfinches, tanagers and other songbirds. She loved sitting quietly and listening to the music they made.

Her generosity was well-known. Kathryn made notable donations to many local and national environmental organizations and volunteered as treasurer of Evergreen Islands for many years.

She was also a volunteer for Flying Doctors of America, a non-profit that brings medical aid to impoverished populations worldwide. Fluent in Spanish, she often translated for the physicians on site in small Mexican villages. Kathryn and a colleague were also instrumental in forming the nursing unit of the oncology department at Island Hospital in Anacortes.

Kathryn was fearless on every front. A lean, lithe athlete, she climbed rock faces and scaled mountains. She loved kayaking, river rafting, biking, and hiking. She was a hearty adventurer who traveled the world, including trips to Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, India, Africa, Turkey, Bali, Central and South America.

Ever the artist, she created expressive and graceful watercolor paintings and designed her own unique wardrobe pieces. "Elegant" was her highest compliment for anything worth having or being. She brought that elegance to her table, too. Kathryn was an exquisite cook, creating sophisticated gourmet meals, always fresh, always organic, and always with a unique twist.

She was a woman of strong will who faced challenges head-on, including severe arthritis, multiple surgeries, cancer, and the challenge of an ongoing infection that she fought for years.

Kathryn was born in Burbank to Laura and Edgar Smith. She attended Burbank High School in California and received an undergraduate degree in psychology and social work from San Jose State University, where she went on to earn her nursing degree with honors.

Growing up, she spent summers with relatives in Laguna Beach, enjoying body-surfing and skim-boarding, and on Orcas Island, where she loved to run on her aunt's beach and go exploring on her uncle's boat, hunting for agates and fossils on Sucia Island.

Kathryn is survived by brother David Smith and wife Jane Weil, nephews Michael and Nathan Smith, her kind caregivers, and the many cats and dogs she loved.

In lieu.of flowers donations may be sent to the Skagit Humane Society, The Cat's Meow, Friends of the Forest, and Evergreen Islands.

Published by Anacortes American from Jul. 22 to Jul. 23, 2026.