Mary "Cookie" Kittinger

Mary "Cookie" Kittinger born February 3, 1943 entered into the arms of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, September 30, 2026 with loved ones by her side.

Cookie was preceded in death by her husband, Gene Kittinger, her mother, Marjorie Matheny, ex-husband, Jack Richards, brother & sister-in-law, Jake and Karen Smith, brother-in-law, Jim Palmer and also her grandson, Ronald Barth.

She is survived by her loving family; brother, Ralph Smith and sister, Sandra Palmer. Her son, Terry Richards and wife Annette, also her daughter, Earlene Barth. Grandchildren; Alex Richards, Narissa Gowan, and Jeremiah Richards and wife, Erin. Great-grandchildren; Jessiah Jameson Jr., Luke and Noah Richards, and Tristan and Beverly Gowan. She also left behind many loved nieces and nephews.

Early on in Cookie's life she worked at Brookside Elementary, then moved to Little Lake Industries. Then, being a craft person, took a leap of faith and opened a craft store for a while. Things in life took a turn and she applied for work at Howard Memorial Hospital in 1980. There she began working in the cafeteria, where she ended up dazzling co-workers and patients with her cooking skills earning her Employee of the Year in 1993. During her time working there she met her husband, Gene Kittinger, her true love, who she was married to for 28 years. She worked in the cafeteria for many years then towards the end of her career she worked in the operating room until she retired.

Her passions were family, cooking, gardening, canning, quilting, knitting and all kinds of crafts.

Known as "Granny Cookie" to her children, grandchildren & great-grandchildren she will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held at Agape Bible Church in Willits on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 11:30am.