Katherine June Roche, loving wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend has died.

Katherine passed away after her courageous eight-year battle with cancer Sunday, Dec. 11, 2005 surrounded by her devoted husband Eamonn, her children Danny and Lauren and closest family and friends who loved her, in her home on Whidbey Island. She was 43.

Kathi was born March 4, 1962 to Frances and “Primo” Primero in Renton.

She attended Kent Meridian High School, Highline and North Seattle Community College.

Kathi was always known for being a hard worker. As a teenager she worked summers at her parent’s produce stall at the Pike Place Market. She worked in the restaurant, catering and food service industry from the age of 18 until her death.

She worked for North Seattle Community College for over 10 years as a culinary arts instructor where she shared her love of good food and great wine.

She was loved by the many friends she has made throughout the industry at such great local restaurants as the Dahlia Lounge, Palace Kitchen and Etta’s Seafood, where she worked a number of years as the floor and catering manager, and also at the Beachfire Grill on Whidbey Island where she was the general manager. She was also the catering manager for the Marriott hotel for a number of years, as well.

Kathi was known for her fun-loving attitude, her love of life and her beautiful smile. She was a giver and devoted much time and her professional skills to many local charities and charitable events.

Although she worked hard, Kathi’s most important gifts to this world were her children, Daniel, 17 and Lauren, 15 of Tukwila, to whom her presence will be greatly missed. She also enjoyed spending the last few years of her life traveling for work and for fun to New York, Napa Valley and Europe.

Those who knew her best would say she loved her family, her friends, her work and only the best food and wine.

She will be loved and missed by all whose lives she has touched far and wide.

Kathi is survived by her loving husband Eamonn, who never left her side; her children Danny and Lauren Sullivan; her former husband Bob Sullivan; mother Frances Primero; siblings Mary and Glenn Watkins, Roselynn Primero and Jerilynn Primero; nephews Adam, Tyler, Nicholas and Garrett; nieces Randi and Rachel; several cousins, aunts and uncles in the greater Seattle area; and her family in Wexford, Ireland, Johnny and Eileen (Eamonn’s parents), Damien and Sean Roche. She will be loved and remembered forever by her friends in Ireland, New York and throughout Seattle and Whidbey Island.

A viewing will be held Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Visser Funeral Home in Langley.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at Marlatt Funeral Home, 713 Central Ave. N in Kent.

A celebration in honor of her life will be held afterwards at the Palace Kitchen Restaurant, 2030 Fifth Ave., Seattle.