KIWIS "FLOWN WEST"
Please notify 2nd VP, Connie Leighliter Budge and your Web Hostess Jill Richey Rohan if you know of any Kiwis who have Flown West.
Our Recent Kiwi Losses
Barbara Florence “Babbs” (Schulte) Skinner passed away September 24, 2023. Babbs was the quintessential 60’s California girl through and through. Born in Los Angeles she spent the majority of her 1st 3 decades as an animated, ambitious, & gregarious surfer girl. Upon graduating from L.A.’s University High School, Babsie left the West Coast for the high altitude of Denver, where she attended Colorado Women’s College.
Upon returning to Southern California, Babbs pursued a vocation that would combine her two favorite pastimes, conversing with people & travel. She embarked on a high flying career as a Stewardess for American Airlines, where she was able to use her charm & graciousness to personify American Airlines long-standing slogan: “Something Special in the Air.
Anne McKinney Huston, Class 1961-5, was adopted and raised on an Indiana farm with a brother and parents she adored. After graduating from college, Anne followed her dream and became a flight attendant with American Airlines, based in Boston. After several years of flying, Anne met and married Jack Huston and subsequently had a son, Glenn, and daughter, Jill.
Anne joined The Kiwi Club and spent several years as an active member and president of the Boston Chapter. Anne also belonged the the Orange County/Long Beach and Southeast Florida chapters. She died May 2023. To read more about Anne's life click here.
Gerry Harrison Fix 11/02/1944 - 09/03/2023
Gerry began her career at AA with class 68-19. After 42 years of dedicated service Gerry retired in 2010. Gerry belonged to the DFW Mid-cities chapter. During her career Gerry was based in ORD, SAN and DFW. You will be greatly missed. SOAR HIGH!
Cards may be sent to Gerry’s sister at:
Nancy Trautman
1589 Miccosukee Loop
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Ruth Paul Gibson passed away on August 31, 2023.
She graduated from the stewardess school for American Airlines in the 1950’s. She was based in Chicago, New York, Dallas, and subsequently Nashville, where she was Chief Stewardess. She was an active Kiwi member in Dallas for many years. This lovely lady will be missed by all of us. Her obituary is in the Dallas Morning News obituary click here to read the obituary.
Jane Meyer Reilly passed away at 93 years old on August 30, 2023 in Littleton, Colorado.
She grew up in Watervliet, NY and graduated from Watervliet High School. After high school, she held a clerical position with the State of New York. In 1951, her world opened up when she was accepted in Stewardess School for American Airlines. As a stewardess in the golden area of flying, Jane was based at LaGuardia Airport in New York where she lived with a group of stewardesses who became her lifetime friends. Read her obituary here. https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/reilly/jane
Jane was a member of The Kiwi Club for over 50 years and belonged to Hartford, Atlanta, Chicago, and Denver chapters.
The photo on the right is Jane on an American Airlines recruiting brochure in the early 50's. "A classic, as was Jane," says Jan Hanson
The Denver Kiwis have prepared a special tribute to Jane Reilly
To see the photos and read the stories click here:
Jane Meyer Reilly
Deborah Smith Szymanski - 72, of Aurora,IL and Scottsdale, AZ, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on August 22, 2023.
Debbie was born in St. Louis, MO. to loving parents Lyle and the late Maxine Smith. She was a proud graduate of Incarnate Word High School and Quincy University.
Debbie spent 41 years working as a Flight Attendant for American Airlines. In retirement she loved playing golf and pickle ball. Debbie also enjoyed studying foreign languages, traveling, and spoiling her grandchildren. Read Debbie's full obituary here.
Kitty Gross Hobbs, 72, passed away on August 13, 2023 at her home in Nashville, TN. Kitty was born on September 8th, 1950 to June and Michael Gross of Memphis, TN. After graduating from White Station High School in 1968, she attended college, went on to become a flight attendant for American Airlines, and took to the skies.
In 1972, she met the love of her life, David Hobbs. They were married in 1973 and raised two sons, David and Darren. Kitty was a member of the Nashville chapter. To read more about Kitty and see more photos go to the Newsletter page and open the Music City September newsletter.
Click here to read Kitty's full obituary.
Nancy Jan Hare passed away on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning in Phoenix, Arizona on August 6th. Nancy was born February 6th, 1947, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She graduated from Williamsville High School in Williamsville, New York. She went on to college at Robert Morris in Pittsburgh. At the age of 20 she began a 40-year career in her dream job as a flight attendant for American Airlines.
Nancy had quite a career, from being named “First Lady” on the 747 to being hijacked to Cuba, to earning several “Professional Flight Attendant’s” awards. Nancy was a member of the Chicago Kiwi Club. To read Nancy's complete obituary click here.
Ginny Smith Dreher - March 26, 1926 - July 16, 2023 Sarasota, Florida Born on March 26, 1926, in Detroit, MI, Ginny pursued her education at Michigan State University. She worked as a stewardess with American Airlines, showcasing her passion for travel and service. Ginny later shared her time between Door County, WI, and Longboat Key, FL, before eventually settling in Sarasota on a full-time basis.
Ginny was a member of the Florida Gulf Coast Kiwis, a chapter of The Kiwi Club.
To read Ginny's complete obituary click here:
Edythe Swann, December 5, 1920, - July 16, 2023. 102 years old!
She graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a degree in Nutrition. After graduation, she moved to New York to train as a stewardess with American Airlines, servicing the international route between El Paso and Mexico City. On October 20, 1945, she married Richard E. Swann, Jr. where they settled in Dallas and raised five children.
She was a lifetime member of The Kiwi Club. Edythe loved to travel to Mexico, Europe, and Brazil. She enjoyed dancing, especially the swing. She was passionate about classic films. She was fluent in Spanish and had an extensive knowledge of gardening. To read more about Edythe, click here.
Marie Carol Lockbaum, (1948 - 2023) passed away on May 27, 2023. With a career spanning over four decades at American Airlines, Marie made a remarkable impact. Her contributions to AA went beyond her role as a flight attendant, as she excelled in various management and leadership positions. Among her numerous accomplishments, Marie took immense pride in her role in co-founding the Wings Foundation.
To read more about Marie's remarkable life click here.
Colleen Fisher Razc -- November 28, 1997 - June 5, 2023 (no obituary)
Colleen flew for American from 1959 to 2001. She was a founding member of the Carefree Chapter and served as President, Parliamentarian, and Newsletter Editor.
Rosanne Wensinger, (1934-2023) passed peacefully on April 13, 2023. Rosanne was a very dear lady, loved by all her friends. She hosted several Kiwi events while a Dallas Kiwi. She graduated from the AA Stewardess School, Class 56-09. She will be missed by all of us. Condolences can be sent to the family at: 5539 Melito W, Dallas, Texas, 75230.
"Rosanne's service attitude and cheerful disposition were perfect attributes for being a flight attendant for American Airlines. Rosanne loved flying for American, but she loved her future husband more..." To read more from Rosanne's obituary click here:
Esther Louise Moore, passed away on May 9th, 2023. Born in Brockton, MA on January 26th, 1929, she grew up surrounded by a large family. Esther graduated from Brockton High in 1947. Her first job after high school was working as a telephone operator. In 1950 she moved to New York to become a flight attendant for American Airlines. Her flying years were very exciting as she got to travel the country and meet many famous celebrities. She was later based in Dallas and met Kenneth Moore who she married in 1955. Esther was active with the Kiwi Club (former and current American Airlines Flight Attendants), from the late 1960's up into the 1990's, hosting and helping organize social events. It was with the Kiwi Club that she met and became close friends with actress Dorothy Malone.
To read her full obituary click here.
Kathleen Harrington, 79, Sarasota, FL passed away May 5 , 2023. Kathleen was a member of the FL Gulf Coast Chapter.
Kathleen is survived by the love of her life, her son Devon. She flew out of JFK for many years and moved to FL after her retirement.
Elaine Price, 76, Chicago, IL passed away April 4, 2023, peacefully at home attended by loved ones.
Elaine was born in Blue Island, IL. After college, she travelled to Europe intending to return in a few weeks. Instead she fell in love with Europe and travel and spent a number of years living in Rome and London. After returning to the States she found her dream job as a flight attendant for American Airlines, enjoying international travel. She retired after 44 years following a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. For ten years she fought the disease and inspired many with her unfailing optimism and relentless determination to live life to the fullest. Generous with her kindness, she also volunteered at the Lakeview Pantry and the Ronald McDonald House. Her family and hundreds of friends will sorely miss her.
Jackie Trager passed away March 31, 2023, doing what she did best: loving and protecting her family. Her family fondly called her Aunt Pack. As a stewardess for American Airlines for over 50 years, she lived a life full of travel and adventure, always eager to share these experiences with her loved ones. Jackie was a member of the OC/LB Chapter.
Jackie graduated from North Kansas City high school and attended college at Central Missouri State. Afterwards, she moved to California and started her career with American Airlines. Jackie ended her career as one of the 10 most senior flight attendants at American Airlines and would often regale stories to her family of the celebrities she would attend to as she worked out of LAX on routes to Hawaii, Europe, and Asia.
This family-centered fun and adventuring manifested itself in Jackie until her last breath. She was killed immediately in an automobile accident while driving with her 11-year old niece, Vivian Battmer. Aunt Pack died while heading on another adventure with her family; doing what she loved best. Aunt Pack died protecting her family; doing what she did best. While seriously injured, Ner niece Vivian’s injuries are non-life threatening and she will make a full recovery.
Mary Mikenas Bifulco, On April 1, 2023, we lost one of our fellow Kiwi sisters, Mary Mikenas Bifulco. Mary was an active member of our Kiwi Club in Southwest Florida and served as a Co-president for a two-year term about 11 years ago. Mary briefly worked as a flight attendant for TWA. Four years ago, she relocated to Sarasota and was residing in a full-care facility until her passing.
Joe Angelini. Long Island Kiwi member and retired JFK based Flight Attendant Joseph Angelini passed away March 1, 2023. He is survived by his long- term partner George Richardson of 50 years, who is also a retired JFK based Flight Attendant and is a Long Island Kiwi member.
Nancy Warbritton Strawn, born on January 20, 1930, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 27, 2023, at the age of 93. She was born in Covington, KY, and later moved to Newport, KY, where she graduated from Newport High School in 1947. Nancy worked for an advertising agency in Cincinnati, OH. While on her lunch hour she stopped by the Gibson Hotel where American Airlines was interviewing for stewardesses. She was hired on the spot and her life was changed forever. She met and married an American Airlines Captain, John (J.D.) Warbritton. They had five children together and lived in various cities before settling in Palos Verdes Estates, CA, in 1955. After a house fire and divorce, Nancy married Ralph Bill Strawn, and they retired in Palos Verdes Shores Community in San Pedro, CA. Nancy was an active member of Ocean View Baptist Church and the South Bay Kiwi club.
Cathy Koke Gebhart, passed away on February 25, 2023. She was a member of the South Bay Chapter and then move to the Dallas Kiwi Chapter in 2017.
She has been an active member since here. She will be dearly missed.
Cards and prayers can be sent to the family: John, her husband and Johanna, her daughter at: 921 Golden Bear Lane, McKinney, TX 75072
Irma Hudak Crozier, July 12, 1928 - September 6, 2022. . She was a member of the Dallas chapter of The Kiwi Club for over 70 years. To read more about here amazing life: click here
To view a wonderful tribute to Irma go to this link. https://www.restlandfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Irma-Hudak-Crozier/#!/TributeWall
Mary LaLibertie Moss, passed away peacefully at home on October 9th at the age of 98. Mary began her flying career with AA in 1944 and was a member of the Atlanta Chapter. To read Mary's obituary click here.
Marvine Currey Malouf passed away January 5, 2022 at the age of 81. Marvine lived in Vista, CA and was a member of the Los Angeles chapter. She was in class 60-12. Her husband, Robert died the prior year on September 28, 2021.
Dorothy Flagerstrom Rhodes - Phoenix Chapter DOD July 7, 2022
Joanne Quinn Fitzpatrick, Chicago Chapter - DOD July 1, 2022
Margaret Thomas Lee (Mickey), (86) passed away on May 15, 2022 in Fort Worth, TX. She had been a member of the DFW Mid-Cities Chapter since the early 60's.
Linda Somboonsook, of the South Bay Kiwi Chapter, passed away July 4, 2022. More photos here...
Anita Johnston Dahlgren, Class of 1943/12 and Founder of the Oklahoma City Chapter of The Kiwi Club on April 10, 1953, passed away February 6, 2022. Read Anita's obituary here.
Christine Watts-Greenlaw Dolby passed away on July 21, 2022. She was a member of the Washington D.C. Chapter and served in every office of the DC chapter. She was also National Treasurer of TKC 2000-2004.
Brenda Tate Nolan passed away on July 19, 2022. She was Dayton Kiwi Chapter President/Treasurer for many years. Branda was in AA Class 59/18. Click here to read her obituary.
Jean Jones-Olinger, a long time member of the ATL chapter recently passed away. Jean started flying in 1947 (her new hire photo is below) and was based at LGA and DFW.She became a Kiwi in DFW and after moving to Atlanta joined the ATL Kiwis. June 2022
Please notify 2nd VP,Connie Leighliter Budge- kiwiclbinfo@aol.com and your Web Hostess
Jill Richey Rohan - kiwiwebhostess@gmail.com if you know of any Kiwis who have Flown West.