Obituary of Kathleen "Kay" Ruth Shepherd Calza

With Dignity and Grace, on her own terms, Kay Calza passed away surrounded by family to the peaceful sounds of hymns sung by the Threshold Singers. After breaking her hip in mid December she had been in the loving hands and protective custody of her granddaughter, Electra Johnson, grandson-in-law, Scott Johnson, and great grandson, Walker Johnson. She was surrounded by the sounds of life; children, birds, dogs she loved for her last months and was entirely present as she said she wanted to die in her words, " in her own good time, in her own good mind." For her last days, her son, Anthony Calza and wife, Glenna Calza, were also at her side reminiscing and holding her hand. Kay Calza was born to newly immigrant parents; a Scottish father, John Shepherd and an Irish mother, Kathryn Ferry Shepherd who met in New York City and moved to Huerfano County, where Kathleen was born in Toltec, a mining camp in Southern Colorado, October 23, 1917. Her mother survived the Spanish Flu of 1918. Kay was a staunch union supporter, her father had been an IWW union organizer and this left a lifelong impression on her. She remembered very clearly the days of the Southern Colorado Coalfield wars. She would raise her fist and say proudly, "We would rather go hungry than scab." She was also a product of the great depression and remembered families going hungry. Her lifelong dream had been to go to teachers college but there was no opportunity at the time, however, in her 80's she fulfilled that dream and worked in the local preschool as a teacher's aide and was "Grandma Kay" to most of Walsenburg. She married Tony Calza and during World War II, they moved to Long Beach, California where she earned the highest rank as a welder at Calship, building Liberty Ships that helped to win WWII. She was the only child to return to Donegal, Ireland and New Gilston, Scotland, the birthplace of her respective parents. This trip, which her son Anthony Calza took her on, was one of the highlights of her life. She loved to travel and befriended everyone she met on her frequent journeys with her granddaughter, Electra.�Kay Calza is preceded in death by both of her daughters; Theresa Shaw and Christine Fowler; her husband, Tony Calza; all of her siblings; Eileen Johnson, "Buddy" John Shepherd, Tina Hastings, Rosalie Loggins, and her parents John and Kathryn Shepherd. She is survived by her son, Charles Calza and daughter-in-law, Judy Calza; son, Anthony Calza and daughter-in-law, Glenna Mickleson; granddaughter, Electra Johnson and grandson-in-law, Scott Johnson; granddaughter, Kay Sutton and grandson-in-law, Dale Sutton; grandsons, Ed Martinnen, Matt Calza and Michel Calza; granddaughter, Lynn Calza, and great grandchildren; Corey, Ryan and Delaney Sutton, Walker Johnson and Leilani and Nila Calza, as well as many cousins from Ireland.We will honor her and celebrate the spirit and life of Kathleen Ruth Shepherd Calza:Memorial Service, 1:00PM, Wednesday May 30, 2018, The Springs Funeral Services, 3115 East Platte Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909.Hometown Memorial Service, 1:00PM, Thursday, May 31, 2018, First Baptist Church, 220 West 6th Street, Walsenburg, Colorado 81089.Interment, South Saint Mary's Cemetery, Highway 85/87, Walsenburg, Colorado. Reception to follow at Huerfano County Community Center, 928 Russell Street, Walsenburg, Colorado 81089. Events Funeral Service Wednesday, May 30, 2018 1:00PM The Springs Funeral Services 3115 East Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Phone: 719-207-8855 Funeral Service Thursday, May 31, 2018 1:00PM First Baptist Church 220 West 6th Street Walsenburg, CO 81089