Remembering Katherine Stolz

By Judge Diana Kiesel, Pierce County Superior Court.  

Judge, Attorney, Bibliophile, Author,
Animal Rescuer, Antique Connoisseur, Quilter,
Learned Person, and One of a Kind Personality

Steve Downing asked me to write an article about his friend, Katherine, for the Bar Magazine. What a privilege to pay tribute to a remarkable person. Immediately, I reflected on my own memories of her and the many spirited arguments I heard her make during court proceedings. I always admired her willingness to go to the mat for her clients. Opposing counsel never intimidated her. Another Judicial colleague said, “she never let an obstacle deter her. Kate did not let popular opinion dissuade her from what she thought was right.” What I remember most is that she was not afraid to disagree with the ruling of the Court. To protect rights of clients, she would not hesitate to file a motion to reconsider, a motion to revise a Commissioner’s ruling, or take litigation to trial. Her quest for justice on behalf of clients was paramount.

Katherine was admitted to practice in 1979. Spirited and independent women were not relished by the Bench and male-dominated Bar. Some male peers tried to intimidate women lawyers. Katherine stood her ground against the most aggressive seasoned male lawyers. It was a period when women lawyers had to endure jokes that demeaned women. Also, some Judicial Officers were uncomfortable when female attorneys appeared in their courtrooms. It was a period when some Judicial Officers did not take the time to learn a female attorney’s name so they might refer to a female attorney as “Sis.” This is the atmosphere that refined her legal skills and led her to run for Judge. Katherine practiced in many areas of law including Probate Law, toxic Tort Law with Asarco, Criminal Law, and Juvenile Law. She also served as guardian ad litem in Family Law cases, and she represented many clients in contested Family Law litigation. She frequently served as Pro Tem Judge in District Court. There is no substitute for knowledge acquired from boots on the ground as a litigator and as a pro tem Judge. I remember how excited attorneys were when Katherine won her Superior Court election. Lawyers knew she understood what it was like to hug a client after a ruling that could destroy a client’s life and she brought her knowledge and empathy to the Bench.

I am sure Katherine, Kate to many, would meet the definition in the Oxford Dictionary of a unique person, “being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else”. She was quoted to say of herself, “I have an odd kick to my gallop.” I asked attorneys and friends who knew Katherine to share favorite memories. I received many stories. I selected the stories that to me best defined Katherine’s fruitful life.
 

Katherine was generous to a fault and never missed an opportunity to assist the Humane Society of Tacoma and Pierce County. She donated yearly to countless organizations protecting the rights of women and animals, and her mailbox is now full of requests to renew her annual donations. Katherine had great affection for all animals. She adopted countless cats over the years, although she was allergic to them. Katherine respected the independent spirit of cats. Like President Abraham Lincoln her hobby could have been described as rescuing cats.
 

Katherine put her quilting skills together with Susan Winnie, Judge Chushcoff s Judicial Assistant. They designed and quilted two kitty quilts. Both were donated to The IBKC FUNdraiser for the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County. The first quilt entitled “Rainbow Kitties” raised over $800.00 at the auction. The next year they again collaborated, and Katherine came up with the idea of a kitty bookshelf design. The quilt design featured over 100 cat-themed book titles. Everyone who knew Katherine also knew she was a voracious reader. Katherine read many of the books showcased on the quilt and she remembered the titles by name. This quilt was entitled “Kitty Bookshelf ” and it raised $600 at the auction. Katherine was the successful bidder. Photos here show her talent and commitment to charitable organizations. Katherine left a portion of her estate to a blind cat sanctuary.

Katherine was also an avid collector. She had collections of dollhouses, china, women’s hats, British royal family paraphernalia, to mention just a few collections. Kate displayed some of her collections at our Law Library periodically. Her collections often reflected her taste in clothing, including her love of flamboyant hats.

Her collections included holiday decorations. She decorated her yard for Halloween and Christmas yearly to the delight of the neighborhood, and she loved to dress in costume for Halloween. Three neighbors were distraught that her decorations would not adorn the neighborhood this year. The estate donated all the Halloween decorations to the neighbors. They agreed to yearly decorate their homes with Katherine’s decorations in her memory.

Katherine is irreplaceable and she will remain in the minds and hearts of all who knew her forever. May she rest in peace.