In Memoriam: Kathi Landon
Kathi Landon, a much-beloved WSNA nurse representative and mentor, died Sept. 10.
She worked at WSNA from March 1997 to July 2014, joining WSNA when the organization was recovering from the union raids that ended in the loss of dozens of facilities to other unions and left WSNA’s finances in the red. At the time, she was one of only three nurse representatives covering the entire state.
“They kept WSNA together,” said Judy Huntington, executive director of WSNA from 1999 to 2017.
On the weekends, Kathi was Mrs. Johnson, a traditional housewife to her husband, Gene, and the name people in the neighborhood used. During the work week, she turned into Kathi Landon, a fierce nurse rep under a façade of sweetness, calm, and good cheer.
“Kathi Landon was one of those ‘Little Debbies’ but a shark underneath,” said Anne Tan Piazza, who worked with Kathi for almost her entire career at WSNA. “People would constantly underestimate her.”
At that time, Kathi carried around a big bag of quarters and stopped at phone booths to get messages and do her nurse rep work.
Kathi Landon at WSNA’s biennial convention, Tukwila, May 4, 2005
Barbara Frye, Kathi Landon, and Debi Bessmer at WSNA’s Honorary Recognition Awards Gala, Tukwila, May 5, 2005
From left: Hanna Welander, Ben Tilden, Janet Parks, Joan Garner, Hilke Faber, [name unknown], Anne Tan Piazza, Pat McClure, Kathi Landon, Darlene Delgado, Becky Dawson, Debi Bessmer, Barbara Frye, Juanita Heaton, Linda Macchia, Judy Huntington, and Deborah Nieman at WSNA’s annual Leadership Conference, Chelan, Sept. 4, 2005
Debi Bessmer and Kathi Landon and WSNA’s annual Leadership Conference, Chelan, Sept. 25, 2007
Carmen Garrison and Kathi Landon at an Sacred Heart Medical Center local unit informational picket, Spokane, June 4, 2013
After many years as a nurse rep, Kathi was given the title of senior nurse rep, charged with training new hires and supporting other reps at WSNA.
“I recall her driving to Benton Franklin for me for a ratification vote because I felt I needed the additional help and support,” remembers Jaclyn Smedley, who worked with Kathi. “No questions asked, she was always there.”
Kathi was known for her positive attitude and sense of humor. Piazza remembers a conversation with other staff members about what people were going to do that weekend. Kathi calmly said, “I’m getting married.”
Kathi was a quintessential nurse rep, unfailingly supportive colleague, and a positive presence in every room she entered. “I think that the nurse rep position was her calling,” Piazza said. “She built out the role of what a nurse rep was at WSNA.”
The family will by honoring Kathi in a private ceremony.