Kathryn Rechel McKenzie, 68, passed away on March 8, 2025, in Phoenix, Ariz., with her loving husband Andrew at her side. She was born in Denver on Jan. 25, 1957, to Paul and Shirley Rechel. Her siblings, all older, include Eric, Holly, and Jennifer Rechel. They grew up in Wheatridge, Colorado and spent many days in the high-country fishing, camping and hiding from the “chocolate wolf” their springer spaniel, Cinderella.
She attended Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, receiving an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science. After college, she worked at an accounting firm in Denver, then moved to Alamosa, Colorado to be with her mother, Shirley, and sister Holly’s family, including niece Brianna and nephew Prester John. The three of them shared many adventures, including learning to drive.
While working at the SLV Economic Development Council, she met Andrew through a computer repair phone call and eventually moved to California to be with him. They married in Long Beach on July 7, 2012, then relocated to Phoenix, Arizona for his work.
She loved cats and dogs, chocolate of all kinds, Sci-Fi, dragons, and all things fantasy. She loved singing and participated in the SLV Community Choir for many years. Though quiet at first, once she got to know you and brought you into her world, she was funny with a great sense of humor. She was down-to-earth, kind, caring, compassionate, and often sported a giant smile, especially for those she loved.
One day, in 1987, after her father passed away and she was riding the bus to work from Parker to downtown Denver, she took out a legal pad and pen and began writing a story of dragons and magic. She never stopped. Her completed novels include: Dragon’s Oath; Defender’s Quest; The Servant; The Heirlings; and the four volume series of The World Of Q’phirha, including Book 1 The Speaking Stone, Book 2 The Awaited One, Book 3 Duffy’s Library, and Book 4 Where Dragons Fly.
Kathryn was not able to publish her writings into books before she passed, so her family will attempt this monumental task in order that her amazing imagination can be enjoyed by others.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Shirley Rechel, sister-in-law Amy Rechel and niece Annabelle Felmlee, dogs Lexa and Frodo, and cats, Cassie, Tira, McDuff and TigerPaws.
Surviving are her husband Andrew McKenzie, siblings Eric, Holly (Dennis) and Jenny, niece Brianna Felmlee (Jerald Reimers), nephew Prester John Felmlee (Carla Kochis), and cat McTavish.
Tea to Talk About Kathryn, sponsored by her Colorado family, will be held in Alamosa, Colo., on Saturday, March 22, at 11 a.m. at Oscar’s Restaurant, 520 Main St., Alamosa. Come and share your favorite Kathryn stories. Also, services will be held in Phoenix, TBA, and early summer in Alamosa, details TBA. Please make contributions in her name to local or national animal rescue charities and support your favorite authors by buying their books.
Please visit www.RogersFunerals.com, to leave online condolences for Kathryn’s family.
