Kathleen Mary "Delia" Bouchard

Kathy Bouchard of Salem, OR passed away peacefully the night of May 14, 2012 of causes related to Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was born in Detroit, Michigan to Lawrence and Irene (Gough) Delia. Her father worked for Chrysler, while her mother stayed home to raise the children. She attended Saint Stanislaus Catholic Parochial School in Detroit, and graduated in 1966. After graduation she obtained her Cosmetology Degree. It was in Detroit she met and married her husband, Tom in 1967. In 1969, after the birth of their daughter Tricia, they followed Tom's family to Simi Valley, CA where their son Steve was born and they lived for eight years. In 1978 they moved to Rickreall, OR to start a business. They later moved their residence and business to Dallas, OR where they raised their family and she attended St. Philip Catholic Church. In 1991 they moved for business to Eugene, OR and Kathy went back to a career in Cosmetology. She worked in a salon and made several lifelong friends.
In 1995 she was diagnosed with MS, but she did not let that break her spirit. She began each day with a smile on her face, and continued working until 2005. In 2006 they moved to Salem, OR to be closer to family. She was cared for by her husband for the last five years before moving to residential care for the last few months, where she was cared for by wonderful people who became like a 2nd family. Kathy will be remembered for her positive outlook and fortitude throughout her experience with MS; and even in death contributed CNS tissue to OHSU for further MS research.
Kathy was known for her outgoing personality and touched the lives of everyone she came in contact with. She will be remembered for her gorgeous smile, dimples, and sense of humor; her famous Italian meatballs; her incredibly soft/youthful skin; and her love of puzzles, painting ceramics, and playing games. She adored birds, and ironically had a following of squirrels in her yard no matter where she lived, which she took pleasure in giving names to and feeding.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Thomas Bouchard, Jr. of Salem, children: Tricia Bouchard of Salem, Steve (Tiffany) Bouchard of Monmouth, and grandchildren: McKenna and Madison Morrell, and Jackson and Macy Bouchard, and many other relatives in Oregon, Michigan, and California.
Family is planning a private memorial. Donations are encouraged to the MS Society.