KATHLEEN CHRISTIAN
March 15, 1942 - May 21, 2021
Kathleen Susan Christian died unexpectedly near her home in Lake Arrowhead, CA. Her husband Ernest Albert “Bud” Christian predeceased her on December 18, 2018. Together they lived a life with many adventures and joys with their children, grandchildren and a wide circle of friends. She was an active member of The Presbyterian Church of Lake Arrowhead, and Upland Presbyterian Church for more than 60 years. Kathleen had a loud and joyful laugh that invited others to join along. She was an RN and worked at the Cal Poly Health Center in Pomona. It was here that she learned about and began her work in the 80’s and 90’s with AIDS Project Los Angeles. She was a mom from the suburbs and six gay men met in a house in West Hollywood to develop the first “Buddy” program. They became leaders on the front line of AIDS. The Buddy program did exactly as its name suggests. You took care of someone. You made a friend. You built a bridge.
Little was known about the disease at that time. Could you catch it from touch, being close to someone who had it? It didn’t matter to Kathleen or the other “buddies.” They held the hands of those dying. They talked, and perhaps most important, they listened. They were with these men as they took their last breath. For her efforts, she received Aids Project Los Angeles’ highest award, the Humanitarian of the Year. She got her own float in the gay pride parade.
Her husband and three sons joined her when she was honored at a big gala. There she was, with three sons, none of whom were gay, speaking out for not just gay people, but all people.
What started with seven people in West Hollywood would ultimately grow into an organization that reached millions. This suburban mom dared to step out of her safe world and into the unknown and frightening world of AIDS.
She loved being a grandmother to her six grandchildren, Alyssa, Blake, Sophia, Jilian, Tessa and Micah. She loved being an aunt to her many nieces and nephews.
She was born and raised in Portland, Oregon before moving to Upland, CA her last year in high school.
She married her husband Bud Christian on July 7, 1962 at The First Presbyterian Church of Upland. They had three boys, Tim (Debra), Dan (Michelle) and Paul (Karyn).
She gave generously of time, talent and treasure to a wide variety of non-profits her entire life. She was an avid learner in American History and studied deeply in the areas of the American Civil War and World War II. She was an adventurous traveler and began by taking her family across country many times in a 1968 VW Bus. She and her husband were able to travel and see many parts of the world and created special moments for their children, grandchildren and family.
Kathleen and Bud were a model for love, affection, parenthood, friendship, family, civic and community leadership. To many she is remembered as a mother you could turn to. A memorial service will be on Saturday, June 26th at 11am at The First Presbyterian Church of Upland located at 869 N. Euclid Avenue, Upland, CA 91786.
Donations can be made in her honor to Lake Arrowhead Presbyterian Church, 351 CA-173, Lake Arrowhead, CA 92352.