Kathleen Marie Johnson

Kathleen McCarty (Bisbee) passed away surrounded by her family on July 24, 2023. She was 75 years old. Kathy is survived by her three children including Matthew Bisbee (Sherri) and their three boys (Jalen, Grant and Pearce), Elizabeth Silber (Chris) and their two boys (Colin and Finn) and Julie Bisbee (Jimmy Dagostino) and their two children (Anthony and Evie).

The daughter of Frank and Pat McCarty, Kathy was born on April 12, 1948 in Kalispell, MT. She was the oldest of four children and is also survived by her three siblings Mike (Debbie), Tom (Julie), Patsy Thompson (John) and numerous nieces and nephews. She grew up in Helena and Missoula where she made many lifelong friends, and she lived there until her senior year of high school.

In 1965 Kathy entered a nationwide essay contest for high schoolers and was selected as one of two students from Montana to take a chaperoned six-week trip to Europe the summer between her junior and senior years in high school. The trip included a visit to many of the major European cities including a visit behind the “Iron Curtain” to Moscow, a very unique experience in 1965.

Her family moved to Phoenix in 1965, and Kathy graduated from Camelback High School in 1966.

During her senior year in high school Kathy won a talent contest and was selected as Phoenix Junior Miss. She was also voted second runner-up in the Arizona Junior Miss Pageant where she was voted Miss Congeniality by her peers (no surprise to anyone).

Her family moved to Boulder, CO, in 1966 and Kathy attended the University of Colorado where she received her degree in Journalism. While at CU she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority, was a finalist for Homecoming Queen, and graduated Outstanding Senior Woman in the class of 1970, which entitled her to sit on the platform with the President and receive the honorary degree for her entire class.

Kathy married John Bisbee in 1970 and they spent their first few years in Boulder where two of her three children were born. In 1975 they moved to Bushnell, IL. Her activities were very impactful during her time in Bushnell including being the co-founder of Beautify Bushnell. Kathy and John divorced in 1995, and Kathy and her youngest child moved to Bloomington, IL.

In Bloomington Kathy obtained her counseling certifications and opened her own private practice serving many clients in the area. While in Bloomington she was elected President of the Illinois Mental Health Counseling Association (IMCHA) and was very active in getting health resources covered under Illinois insurance laws by defining them as insurable events.

Following many years in Bloomington she decided to come back home to Colorado and moved to the Denver area in 2012. She again opened her own counseling practice and cumulatively spent over 20 years counseling and helping clients with their needs.

While in Denver she re-engaged with her Tri Delta Sorority at CU and was an active member of the House Board.

She also volunteered her time and services for the Red Cross with her return to Denver being very timely as she was able to help during the floods of 2013.

Kathy was a devoted mother and grandmother and just wanted everyone to get along. She will be missed by her family, her many friends and her cat Skye. She made life here on earth better and more joyful for countless numbers.  An incredible heart and spirit.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, July 27th, at 10:00 AM at the Drinkwine Family Mortuary in Littleton with a reception to follow (TBA).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the National Park Foundation to support our national parks, or to the Alzheimer’s Association in support of her longtime support of what both groups do.

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