Mary Katherine Clift

Mary Katherine (Wilson) Clift, 86, went to be with the Lord on September 2, 2026. Kathy lived in Colorado Springs, CO for the last 7 years.

Kathy, the daughter of Charles and Mary Wilson, deceased, from Holland, MO, left behind two surviving sisters out of the seven Wilson girls, Rosie Downs of Missouri, and Maggie Payne of Texas. She was a wonderful mother to two living children, Charles Clift, CA, and Arlien Kennedy and her husband John, CO, and one deceased daughter, Mary Ellen. Four grandchildren, Jewel and Tiara Clift, and Devan, his wife Nina, and Dalan Neuenschwander, four step grandsons and three step granddaughters. She also had several great grandchildren and step great grandchildren. And many that she claimed as her own including Darla, Alice, Jose, Dee Dee and especially, April Schtatman, and many others over the years. And a whole slew of nieces and nephews.

Kathy’s life was never dull. As a child, she traveled the country with her family as migrant farm workers, picking cotton, strawberries, cherries and taking care of her sisters. The family moved to Orosi, CA, when she was a teenager, where she met Arlie Clift, Jr., whom she married on July 25, 1958. She was a beautiful singer always with a song on her lips. They moved to Bell Gardens where they started their family and invested in real estate. As the oldest of seven girls, Kathy was a natural with children and had her own day care for many years. In 1978 they moved to Visalia. She and Arlie traveled the country performing archery shows where Arlie shot balloons out of her mouth and hands, for which they were inducted into the California Archery Hall of Fame in 1996. She was certified as a CNA. They were entrepreneurs, at times owning gas stations, convenience stores, karaoke business and video stores. As time went on, they settled into managing storage facilities until retirement. She said her ministry was encouragement and one way she showed that was sending cards to everyone she knew. She was also quick to grab a hand and pray.

Kathy was predeceased by her parents Charles and Mary, daughter Mary Ellen, husband Arlie, and sisters Patsy, Martha, Lourena and Elizabeth.

The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Master’s House, 740 Wooten Road, Ste 108, Colorado Springs, CO 80915. In her honor, we’d like to fill the room with purple. Attendees are welcome to wear purple.

Kathy and her husband Arlie will be interred at Fairview Cemetery in a private ceremony later.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy asked for donations to be made to the Lions Club.