Katherine Smith Jenks

October 10, 1943 - February 17, 2021

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Katherine Smith Jenks died quietly in her home Feb. 17, 2021.

She was born Oct. 10, 1943 in Boston to Bert Smith and Estelle Kicaris Smith. Her father was a career Naval officer in the U.S. Navy so the family moved several times when Kate was growing up. Kate attended and received a diploma from Wheaton College. After college she lived in Hawaii for a period of time before moving back to California where she gave birth to her son Jesse.

Kate and Jesse moved to Marshall, Calif. where she met Steve Koomen and Mike Ewing. The trio moved to the Olympic Peninsula in 1975 where they purchased land on Marrowstone Island, later selling it to purchase land on Berryhill Lane where they built cabins. After her partner Steve died of cancer, Kate moved into Port Townsend. Kate supported herself and her son through her various artistic talents. She did wood carvings, including the first wood-carved sign at Pope Marine Park. She carved signs for many downtown businesses. She also made custom jewelry and jewelry to sell at the Franklin Gallery. Later she painted watercolor scenes of the area which were popular with local residents and tourists. Kate and Jesse also spent time living abroad in Scotland, where she returned several times to visit friends.

Kate was passionate about the environment. She was involved in Ground Zero, an organization that protested nuclear submarines in the Hood Canal. Later she channeled her political interests into becoming a Port Townsend City Council Member.

Kate is preceded in death by her parents and her dachshund, Lucy, who provided her much companionship and who died two weeks before Kate. She is survived by her son Jesse Basil Jenks of Cayucos, Calif.

At Kate’s request there will be no memorial service.