Kathyn Marie Simpson Pierce October 1, 1947 – August 25, 2021

Kathyn Marie Simpson Pierce, 73, of Boise, died Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021, at a Boise hospital surrounded by her children.
 A service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church on Friday, Oct. 1, in celebration of her life on the day of her birth. In person service attendance will be limited to family but the service will be streamed live for all who wish to join us.  
 She will be interred with her husband at Idaho Veterans Cemetery.
 Kathy was born in Ephrata, Wash., on Oct. 1, 1947, to James Harold and Kathryn Rae, the oldest of three children.  
 She went to work for the family newspaper, the Weiser Signal-American, ran for city council, and in the year 1969 owned “the fastest car in the state of Idaho”.  
 On June 27, 1970, she married Burt Willard Pierce in Ontario, Ore.  
 Burt enlisted in the Navy, and they spent the next 20 years traveling the world together and having many adventures. During this time, she discovered the home of her heart, Hawaii. She took up surfing, learned Chinese cooking from renowned chef Titus Chan, and fell in love with Island life. She also continued to pursue her passion in journalism.
 When Burt retired in 1990, they settled in Boise, Idaho. Staying in one place for so long allowed her to pursue new joys. She and Burt traveled the state with their bicycle. She took to driving her track-prepared Miata around town and became involved in a life of service to her community through her church and a local interfaith council.  
 After the love of her life Burt passed in 2005, she continued to grow.  Kathyn next shifted much of her time and energy to something that many now know her for – quilting. She made hundreds of quilts, some for comfort and relief within the community she held dear, as well as ones designed specifically for family and friends.
 She never forgot Hawaii, visiting when she could and keeping a surfboard there that was always ready for her. She also now had grandkids and loved them all deeply.
 She is survived by her daughter Kristin Noelle McNabb and her husband Christopher Cole McNabb; her son Alexander James Pierce and his partner Gloria Salazar Sisco; her daughter Rebecca Kathleen Hite and her husband Jonathan Andrew Hite; her brother James Rae Simpson and his wife Betty Simpson; her sister Lesley Jeanne Cunningham and her husband Michael Edward Cunningham; her grandchildren Taylor Alexander Pierce, Marcus Cruz Dehlwes, Sophia Lenore McNabb, and Sullivan James Hite; and her bonus grandchildren Nastasia Diamond Sisco, and Jasmine Renee Holder.  Kathy is also survived by many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces who each held a special place in her heart.
 Kathy was preceded in death by her parents James Harold and Kathryn Rae Simpson; her sister-in-law Janis Cynthia Zimmerman; and her beloved husband and partner in crime Burt Willard Pierce.
 Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church or the Boise Pride Festival.