Kathleen Gay Ibey

Kathleen Gay Ibey of Whittier California passed away peacefully on January 6, 2024 at the age of 70 after a hard fought and admirable battle against liver disease. She will be missed greatly by those who knew and loved her.

Kathleen (Kathy) was born February 3,1953 in Gardena to Wilbert and Juanita Jones Vogel where she lived until she was married to her sweetheart Russell Byron Ibey in 1972. Kathy was the third of 5 children. She was a wonderful little sister to her two older sisters, Cheryl and Lauren and loved to be a little mother to her two younger brothers, William and Michael.

In high school Kathy was a member of the drill team and involved in the girls club where she and her friends would organize bake sales, car washes and other events for charity. 

She worked doing key punch data entry for Hitco Inc in Gardena, CA in high school and first years of marriage. She then began in-home child care in Lawndale where she moved after getting married and later Whittier which she loved doing.

Kathy and Russ met at church as teenagers and their love story began when they were participating in various plays, dance festivals and attending youth activities. They were married in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for time and all eternity on October 14, 1972. Their family grew with the birth of their first daughter Melinda and later Stephanie. She enjoyed staying at home to raise her girls and did whatever she could to give them what they needed and wanted as they grew.

Life took them to Whittier in 1985 when they purchased their first and forever home. Leaving Lawndale was very difficult for her and she remained close to her friends from that area until her passing which was such a blessing to her. Whittier provided her with wonderful friends whom she dearly loves and appreciates. She loved her birthday lunch group and any chance she got to be with her friends.

Knowing Kathy means you’ve likely been served by her. Kathy truly exemplified the call to love her neighbor. She served anyone and everyone she could. She always put the needs of others above her own. She found ways daily to reach out to the lonely, the sick, the otherwise forgotten. She acknowledged everyone’s birthday and found many ways to let friends and family know she cared, even while she herself was suffering she focused on the needs of others. This often included strangers, when she saw a need she could fill she did it without hesitation. She often did so anonymously as well. Her compassion, detailed thoughtfulness and ability to show love will be her legacy.

Kathy was the definition of a righteous woman. She was a faithful and devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She loved reading the scriptures and learning the doctrine and teachings of Jesus Christ. She had a strong testimony of Him and His power in her life. She turned to Him and spoke of the miracles He rendered in her life often. She was proud of her family history of pioneer saints who crossed the plains to Salt Lake City to establish the church in the west. She loved to read church history books. Within the church organization she served in many callings that helped bring others to their Savior. Perhaps her most Christ-like calling was the decade she spent working with many different churches in Whitter providing meals for the homeless. She enjoyed this very much and did it very well.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Russell; her two daughters Melinda (Mario) Zamarripa of Perris, CA, Stephanie (Robert) Itri of O’Fallon, IL; her 9 grandchildren Sierra, Dakota, Masen and Christian Zamarripa, Reagan, Jensen, Tanner, Brynnlee and Easton Itri; her sister Lauren (Wayne) Waitman of Mission Viejo, CA, brothers William Vogel of Glendora, CA and Michael Vogel of Aliso Viejo, CA. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert and Juanita Vogel of Westminster, CA and her oldest sister Cheryl Vogel of Joshua Tree, CA. 

In lieu of flowers the family would like to invite you to consider a donation near and dear to Kathy’s heart benefiting the homeless community of Whittier

Checks can be made to:

Salvation Army TLC 

In the Memo: Whittier Navigation Center

It should be mailed to:
Whittier Navigation Center

7926 Pickering Ave

Whittier, CA  90602 

Service will be on January 19th 

Viewing 9:30 10:45 am

Celebration 11:00 am

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 

15265 Mulberry Drive 

Whittier 90604