Kathleen R. Tower
September 1, 1946 – December 13, 2025
Kathleen R. Tower, 79, of Tucson, Arizona, entered eternal life Saturday, December 13, 2025 in the presence and loving care of her family.
Born September 1, 1946 in Hollywood, California, daughter of the late Paul L. and Suzanne S. (Sproull) Dennis, Kathleen was raised on a ranch in rural Arizona/California until the age of six, moving to Prescott, Arizona and then to Tucson, graduating from Tucson High School and later attending college at Northern Arizona in Flagstaff. Kathleen would later get married, moving to New York.
As a leader, educator and teacher, Kathleen used her talents as a wife, mother, Head Start teacher and dispatcher for Waste Management in New Mexico for several years.
Kathleen enjoyed traveling with her family exploring Maui, China, Africa, Australia, and Tahiti. She was an avid reader, hiker, camper and also attained the level of “Top Hand” at Orme Ranch and school which included breaking the horse “Bingo”, shoeing and training him to accept a saddle and rider.
A brilliant woman Kathleen, (who many knew as Katie), was spirited, kind, fun, organized and always thinking ahead. When a person couldn’t find a solution, Katie had a good one to offer. She enjoyed life and allowed herself to experience it, living in California, Arizona, New York, New Mexico, Louisiana, Florida and Michigan, spending a year in Michigan living and learning about life there with her sister, Paula, which lead to two years as a companion/caregiver for a beloved family member, eventually settling back in Arizona. She retained her natural beauty and had mastered “Go with the Flow”. God is Love and that the “Divine Mind guides all right activity”.
In addition to her parents, Paul and Suzanne, Katie is preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Michael F. Maki and husband Robert Tower.
She is survived by her beloved daughters, Dr. Margaret Chandler of Tucson, Arizona and Kendall Martinez of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; grandchildren Elisabeth Cole of Arizona and Gabriel Gutierrez of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; sister Paula D. Maki; nephews Michael (Markeeta) Maki and Jacob (Amanda) Maki; grandnephews Kilian, Logan, Tyler, Gavin and Keegan and grandniece Ellie all of Michigan.
A private family celebration of Kathleen’s life will take place at a later date and no doubt will involve her love for Maui, Hawaii.
Kathleen’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the facilities Inspirations, the staff of Simancas ALH for their kind and loving care of Katie over the past two years and to Pete for his devotion to her care.
Memorials may be directed to Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse, 2545 East Adams Street, Tucson, Arizona 85716 or at www.emergecenter.org in her loving memory.
Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
Shirley Marie St. John
November 15, 1934 – December 27, 2025
Former Garnet/Rexton resident, Shirley Marie St. John, 91, of McMillan, died Saturday morning December 27, 2025 at Golden Leaves Living Center.
Born November 15, 1934 in Pickford, daughter of the late Leslie and Augusta (Owens) Mills, Shirley was a graduate of Engadine High School.
Shirley was employed as maintenance supervisor at Holy Name Catholic School in Escanaba for several years until her retirement. A resident of McMillan for the past 20 years, Shirley enjoyed casino gaming, puzzles, game shows, the outdoors and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her former spouses Lester Mark and Cecil St. John; daughter Jackie Perry; son Melford Lee Mark; step-daughter Ruth St. John; siblings June Mills, John Mills, Reva Ruby and Marion McTiver.
Survivors include her children Betty (David Fuller) Calkins of McMillan, Debbie (Pete) Hirn of Escanaba and Myron (Shelly) Mark of Hersey; step-daughters Roylene Shakes and Richlene (Scott) Combs all of Canton; 15 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; sister Rita (Richard) Stebelton of Dafter; son-in-law Mattew Perry of Newberry; sisters-in-law Linda Bliss of Lakefield and Gloria Elkins of Camden, TN; several nieces and nephews.
Per request, cremation services were accorded. Graveside services will be held in the spring/summer of 2026 at Maplewood Cemetery in Rexton.
Memorials may be directed to Golden Leaves Living Center Activities Fund in her loving memory.
Condolences may be expressed at www.beaulieufuneralhome.com. Beaulieu Funeral Home in Newberry is assisting the family.
