Kathryn Ann Nakonieczny Caldwell

Kathryn Ann Nakonieczny Caldwell, 78, peacefully passed away surrounded by family and friends on Friday, July 2, 2010. Services for Kathy will be held at St. Jude Catholic Church, 1515 N. Greenville, Allen, Texas 75002 at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010.

Kathy was born in Leyden, Colorado, a small mining town, on January 1, 1932. She was the first child of John L. and Wanda Nakonieczny. Kathy grew up in Leyden and graduated from Manual High School. She continued her education, attending Barnes Business College in Denver. After graduation, she managed the music department of Neisner's Five and Dime, where she met Mr. Eugene Caldwell, a self-proclaimed music aficionado, who frequented the store. Later, he confessed his interest in music was just a ploy to meet Kathy. They married on March 31, 1951 in Denver, in a small Polish wedding. Their journey together lasted over forty-one years. His position in the United States Air Force gave them the opportunity to experience many different climates, living in Fairbanks, Alaska, Tallassee Florida, Canal Zone, Panama, Shreveport, Louisiana, San Diego, California, and Dallas, Texas.

After her husband's discharge, they continued their love of travel. He took a position with Frontier Airlines, and later, Pacific Southwest Airlines. It was during this time, they were able to visit countries she had always dreamed about. They traveled to England, Scotland, and Wales; hiring a private driver to take them to the ancestral home of Caldwell Castle. Kathy eagerly attempted eating Haggis and quickly hit the shops, with her eye set on Harrods's.

Over the years, Gene and Kathy continued to travel, moving on to Asia. As they visited various countries, they always found time to absorb the local cultures. Kathy introduced her daughters to Kabuki in Kyoto, Tea in Tokyo, and Botanical Gardens outside the Shogun's Palace. For years they maintained residences in both San Diego and Dallas, but finally settled with their three children in Dallas, Texas in 1983.
Kathy enjoyed being a mother and homemaker. Throughout her life, she served her community, participating and funding various clubs and organizations including AARP, Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Girl Scouts, Zoological Society of San Diego, Balboa Park Trust, Panama Canal Society, Magdalen House, and Bent Tree Country Club. Her hobbies included sewing, reading, music, playing cards, and travelling to Las Vegas, to challenge the "One Armed Bandit".

Survivors include her daughters, Jeanine C. Gaston of Murphy, Texas, Cindy K. Robinson of Plano, Texas, four grandchildren, Chase Stricker, Marc Robinson, Victoria Robinson, and Andrea Gaston. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene E. Caldwell (1992), her son, Kevin B. Caldwell (1998), her father, John L. Nakonieczny (2005), her mother Wanda Nakonieczny (1981), and brothers, John Nakonieczny II, and Jerald Nakonieczy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kathy's memory to the Visiting Nurses Association of Texas, 2414 West University Drive, McKinney, Texas, 75070