Catherine K Calhoun

Catherine K (Graehl) Calhoun was born in Ogden, Utah, in 1943, the second of nine children. She passed away on June 22, 2024. Although she only had a middle initial, she went by Kay. In nearby Layton, her father built their family home on a plot of land overlooking the Great Salt Lake with room to grow peaches, corn, and strawberries. In this idyllic setting, Kay explored the outdoors playing the role of tomboya phase that didn’t last long.

Inspired by her seamstress mother, Kay developed an uncanny skill for combining colors, lines, and textures. From an early age, Kay dressed herself in outfits she designed and sewed with her mother. In girlhood photos, she looks glamorous like a young Audrey Hepburn. During high school, she was voted best dressed, something she was proud of throughout her life.

She left home to attend Brigham Young University, and there was pursued by Wayne Calhoun, whom she married in 1962 in the Salt Lake City Temple. Wayne’s gregariousness was complemented by Kay’s reserve and thoughtfulness. It was a love affair that endured for nearly 62 years when Wayne preceded her in death by only two months.

A devoted mother, Kay and Wayne raised four children in Wayne’s hometown of Mesa, Arizona. Kay’s calm nature and design skills created a peaceful home environment. A lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Kay volunteered for many church positions in the Mesa 25th Ward, including working with children and young women. She was interested in design for her entire life, and took pride in her home until the end.

Catherine is survived by her eldest son Scott Calhoun and wife Deirdre of Tucson, Arizona; her son Craig Calhoun and wife MariAlice of McKinney, Texas; her son Danny Calhoun and wife Takako of Mesa, Arizona; her daughter Katie Calhoun (Hammond) and husband Rob Hammond of Ladera Ranch, California; ten grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Catherine will be buried next to her husband Wayne at the Mesa Cemetery in Mesa, Arizona.