Catharina Jacoba Vasey

CATHARINA "KITTY" J. VASEY October 17, 1921 ~ November 25, 2016 Kitty Vasey, 95, of Vancouver, WA, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 25, 2016, at Touchmark where she was surrounded by her family. She was born on October 17, 1921, in Amsterdam, Holland, to Uldrik Bottinga and Catharina Anna Schuurman.Kitty spent her youth in Amsterdam and was attending college when WWII broke out in Europe. During the German occupation of the Netherlands, the drafting of Dutch civilians for forced labor was imposed and Kitty was sent to Germany to work in a factory along with many other Dutchmen. Eventually, she and several of her countrymen escaped from Germany, making their way back to the Netherlands on the top of boxcars. Forced to stay in hiding upon her return, she joined the Dutch resistance until the end of the war.After the Allied Forces liberated Holland in 1945, she met and married Frank Mohns. Frank was discharged and sent home, Kitty followed months later and arrived in New York, entering through Ellis Island, on April 1, 1946. She made her way to Vancouver, Washington, and she lived in the area for the rest of her life.Kitty and Frank's son, Terry, was born in 1947, followed four years later in 1951, by their daughter, Kellee. Between the births of her children, Kitty learned to drive and became a naturalized citizen, two accomplishments of great pride to her. She became an active participant in her children's school activities, including working with the PTA, being a den mother for her son's Cub Scout troop and helping with her daughter's Brownie troup. When not involved with her children, she was a talented artist, particularly with charcoal and oil paints.She and Frank eventually divorced and in 1972 she married the love of her life, Vern Vasey. Kitty and Vern eventually retired and spent a significant amount of their time traveling, car trips around the continental US and yearly visits to Hawaii. Kitty was always happiest meeting new people, socializing with friends and neighbors and hosting parties for everyone. After Vern's death in 2000, she moved nearer to her son and daughter and made many new friends at The Cottages. She spent her last few years at Touchmark.Kitty was preceded in death by her parents; her brother in Holland, Offe Bottinga; her husband, Vern; her ex-husband, Frank; and her son, Terry (2001). She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Kellee and Mike Taylor.The family would like to give many thanks to the remarkable caregivers at Touchmark for their unwavering care and devotion and to PeaceHealth Hospice for making Kitty's last few months more comfortable.A private family service is planned. If you would like to remember Kitty with a donation please consider her favorite charity, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, https://southwesthumane.org/engage/donate/Please sign her Guest Book at www.columbian.com/obits.

Catharina Jacoba Vasey

October 17, 1921 - November 25, 2016