Kaitlin Rose “Katie” Richmond went to be with her Lord on Sept. 30, 2006, surrounded by her loving family and friends. Katie was born July 21, 1999 in Coupeville to Jeffery A. and Jennifer M. (Coupe) Richmond.

Katie was a healthy, vibrant child who at age three was diagnosed with cancer. She spent much of the next four years with doctors and nurses and hospitals, especially Children’s Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle.

She was extremely perceptive and quickly became aware of her condition. She recognized the fight that was before her and became very focused and determined to follow her treatment plans. She also knew she was fulfilling God’s plan for her life, always comforting others and sharing God’s peace. Within the past few days Katie knew she was going home to Heaven to be with God. Leaving earthly treasures behind, taking only abundant love and blessings from her faithful community.

Katie had a natural bond with Kiger Mustang horses. The resemblance is that of power, inner strength, courage, and determination of survival. Katie entrusts her Kiger Mustang horse, “Angel,” to her family. She attended kindergarten and first grade in Coupeville, as her health allowed. She had a gift of making friends wherever she went.

Katie is survived by her parents, Jeff and Jennifer and her sister McKenzie and brothers Tyler and Jeffery Jr., all at the family home, Coupeville; by her grandparents, Lois Richmond of Cathlamet, Tom and Mary Coupe of Greenbank and great-grandparents Nellie Richmond and Bill and Edna Hipner, all of Yakima; also by beloved childhood cancer warriors throughout the world. Grandpa Ron Richmond, brother Scotty Richmond, cousin Keith Brown “Casey” Schultz, and childhood cancer angels preceded her in death.

Visitation for Katie will be held Thursday, Oct. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 6 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor. Funeral services for Kaitlin Richmond will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church, Greenbank with Pastor Phil Stevenson officiating. Graveside service will follow at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville. Pallbearers will be Randy Jacobson, John Coupe, Scott Heaton and Nick Zustiak. A Celebration of Life will follow at the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church.

The family is asking all of Katie’s friends and classmates to attend and Katie would approve of casual attire. Memorials may be made in Katie’s name to Katie’s Fund, c/o any branch of Whidbey Island Bank, to Children’s Hospital Foundation, PO Box C5371, Seattle, WA 98105-0371 or to the Whidbey Evangelical Free Church.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.