Katherine Melissa Duran, was born Katherine Melissa Placek, to Earl Wayne "Wayne" Placek and Rhea Lillian Wagner Placek, in Seattle Washington on February 25, 1947. Kathy was an avid equestrian. She showed jumping horses throughout the states of Washington and Oregon until her marriage with Eugene Amos (Gene) Duran August 27, 1983. They moved to south Snohomish County, where her attention then turned to Dalmatians. She bred, raised and showed dalmatians. Several to the title of "Grand Champion". All the while she was a prolific artist of ceramics, stained glass and jewelry. Kathy worked for, and retired from, the Boeing Aerospace Machinists Union

Surviving Kathy is her stepfather, Elwood Choate "Tiger" Avery, her brothers Brian David Placek, Kerry Wayne Placek and sister-in-law Cheryl Diane Keller and her nephews James Brian Placek, Brendell Wayne Placek, Alexander Miles Standish, Theodore Wayne Standish and her six grandnephews who she loved dearly. Her niece Pollyanna April Placek predeceased her. She also left behind numerous friends throughout the country from the dalmatian community, including Miranne Dick, SaraAnne Vancleave and Karen & Terry Wissenger.

Kathy passed peacefully in the home of Kerry and Cheryl on Sunday, October 19 at 10:46 in the evening.