JOHNS, Kathryn Frances
Born Wednesday December 02, 1959. Passed away Sunday December 14, 2025.
Loved by husband Michael and children Damian and Hannah and her Grandson Freddy. Taken suddenly on 14-12-2025.
A life devoted to helping and supporting others including family, and our youth, through her work.
Funeral notice
The Funeral of Kathryn Johns will be held at the Colac Lawn Cemetery, Gravesend Street, Colac on Monday December 22, 2025 commencing at 1.00 p.m.
Tributes
Leave a tributeMy deep condolences to Michael and family
Kathryn was amazing in so many ways, she loved her English and doing her crosswords and wordles. Every Monday at school for our Monday quiz Kathryn would always get 3 extra hard spelling words and would brag when she got them correct. Always an amazing kind person to be around, she always made me feel safe and cared for.
Kathryn would always brag about her grandson Freddie, always showing us all pictures and making sure we saw how amazing he was and how proud she was to be a grandmother.
I’ll forever miss racing eachother to do the wordles and having chats together. She was truly amazing.
Missing you forever Kathryn ❤️
Amy
December 23, 2025 11:30 am
Dear Michael, Hannah, Damien and families,
Today was a beautiful service for a beautiful and wonderful person. I’m still in shock but also saddened I won’t get the chance to be Kathryn’s admin again for a 5th workplace (haha).
I hope the family can find peace during this difficult time.December 22, 2025 7:00 pm
Dear Michael, Damian and Hannah,
We send you how heartfelt sympathies on the loss of your beautiful Katheryn.
As a colleague and friend we enjoyed many discussions and hearty laughs especially at Curry club. Katheryn was always generous with her time in helping students It’s hard to believe she’s gone but will always remembered and cherished.
Roberta, Ian and familyDecember 22, 2025 11:42 am
Our sincere condolences to Michael, Damian, Hannah, Freddy and Partners on the sudden passing of Kathryn.
We will always remember Kathryn as a kind and caring teacher and councillor, and a loving colleague and friend. We fondly remember the happy times we spent with Kathryn laughing, chatting and enjoying a spicy curry and a red or two. Women of your ‘ilk’ are hard to find Kathryn. You will live on in our hearts.
With Much Love
Janet and Brendon, Kara and Tim.
XxxDecember 22, 2025 11:23 am
Our sincere condolences to Michael, Damian, Hannah, Freddy and Partners on the sudden passing of Kathryn a loving and devoted Wife, Mum, Grandma.
We will cherish the memories. So sorry we can’t be will you today.
With Much Love
Roger, Lou and FamiliesDecember 22, 2025 9:13 am
To Michael and family, we are sad to hear of Kathryn’s sudden passing.
Thinking of you at this difficult time.Bev and Colin.
December 21, 2025 8:30 pm
Your wit and unwavering empathy had such a profoundly positive impact on everyone around you. So many people across the region, of all ages, remain grateful to you for your life’s work. Thank you for being an exceptional colleague, friend and mentor.
Deepest condolences to Michael and family in this hard time.
December 20, 2025 5:26 pm
I am shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Kathryn. A lovely, kind and giving person who will be greatly missed by all those who knew her. Condolences to Michael, Damian and Hannah on the loss of your much loved wife and mother.
Sue Melville & family
December 20, 2025 2:52 pm
To Michael and families,
Sending our deepest condolences, prayers and love to you all.
Thinking of you at this sad and difficult time.Bill & Debbie Melville & family
North QueenslandDecember 19, 2025 11:24 am
Dear Michael, Damian, Hannah and Family, our deepest heart felt sympathy and condolences to you all. Kathryn was a wonderful teacher, colleague and friend. She genuinely loved her career and her students and always supported and encouraged them. She was kind, understanding and empathetic and there are countless teenagers in Colac whose lives have been greatly improved because of Kathryn’s influence on them. She had a great sense of humour, a warm and ready smile and was great fun.( ‘Stand by Your Man’). It was a privilege and a pleasure to have known you, Kathryn, thank you.
Judy, Ian and Meg PYKE.December 18, 2025 11:45 pm
Kathryn was a wonderful friend and colleague over many years and much loved by her colleagues and many many young people. I will miss her greatly.
Deepest condolences to her lovely family.December 18, 2025 11:02 pm
Michael and family.
Our sincere condolences are extended to you at this sad time. We hope you can find strength and hope from the many wonderful years you had together. Kathryn is fondly remembered.
Best wishes for the future.
Robert and Patricia Lo Ricco
December 18, 2025 9:41 pm
I don’t think that it’s really hit home yet that you are no longer here with us. It’s been a really tough week at work, and I can’t imagine the pain your family is going through. I hope your loved ones can take some comfort in the knowledge that many of the kids visited GOALS on Tuesday just to hang out in your room, ‘Kathryn's Room’ a place that you created for students to feel safe, supported, heard, valued and loved. During their time on Tuesday, they talked about what they loved about you, and they came up with many ideas on what they want to do to acknowledge how important that you were to them. (I think GOALS will be home to a new rose garden in your memory.) Your work with youth over your 40 years in either education or health sector is phenomenal. We know this firsthand with the work that you did in getting GOALS established in the first place as well as getting it to where it is today, how will we be able to fill your shoes? I’ll miss our footy banter and seeing the latest Freddy photos when I visit GOALS. My thoughts are with Michael, Damien, Hannah and their families. Love the ‘Big Boss’ – Michelle Ferrari
December 18, 2025 5:31 pm
Deepest condolences to Michael, Damian, Hannah and families. Kathryn, I will miss our conversations and attempts to better the world. Ever so understanding, always kind. I am sure the world is a better place for many because of you. We are all saddened for your family.
Satu, Darryl, Lilli, Hugo and Scarlett.December 18, 2025 3:29 pm
Condolences to the family.
Such a nice lady.December 18, 2025 10:46 am
Kath shared her caring and her smile with so many young people in her days at Colac High School. She was a respected and trusted member of the student wellbeing team, providing so much support to our students, parents and staff. That she continued in this dedicated work with more young people over so many years is testament to her commitment young people in our community. Our heartfelt wishes go out to Michael, Damian and Hannah and their families . Thank you for sharing her with us all.
December 18, 2025 7:17 am
Michael, Damian, Hannah, and families, we are heartbroken at the news of Kathryn. She was a incredible wife, mom, Aunty and friend. That smile of hers made people smile back. I really can't put words together to express how much Kathryn meant to John, Tony, Troy and myself. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
December 18, 2025 12:10 am
Dear Michael, Damian, Hannah and family. I’m so saddened to hear of Kathryn’s passing. From the days of Apex kindergarten to working as colleagues at BCYF Colac office, I have very fond memories. Kathryn had such a wicked sense of humor. We were always laughing at something.
Sending prayers and strength to you all.
Kathie Clissold.December 17, 2025 7:57 pm
My Aunty Kathryn was the most significant female figure in my life, especially after my own mother (her older sister), passed away nearly 20 years ago.
Aunty Kathryn was the glue that held our small family together. Her support and love over my entire life was always felt, needed, and very much appreciated.
I have vivid memories of staying on the farm in Pirron Yalkock every school holidays as a child and Aunty Kathryn would let me stay up late, eat lollies, and watch horror movies, all things that my parents wouldn’t let me do. It was such a treat and something I thoroughly enjoyed and a memory I will always treasure.
My Aunty Kathryn took me to my very first concert, Kylie Minogue! That is something I will never forget.
She was always so cool, fashionable and beautiful, and I always looked up to her.
When I had my own daughter Aunty Kathryn supported me like a mother would. She was so happy to be a great Aunty.
When Aunty Kathryn became a grandma to Freddy in August last year it brought her such immense joy and she proudly shared photos and stories about Freddy at every opportunity. She loved her whole family fiercely.
Her love extended to all the children she helped and supported over her career, and her friends.
Aunty Kathryn, you were taken from us far too soon and there is a now a huge hole in our lives.
I know you’ll be watching over us all and I’m sure we will still feel your presence.Much love to my Uncle Michael, Damian and Madi, Hannah, Chris and Freddy.
December 17, 2025 7:34 pm
Michael, so very saddened for your loss. Xxxxx old neighb
December 17, 2025 6:39 pm
Kath contributed quietly and tirelessly with the utmost respect for students who struggled with mainstream education, homelessness, mental health issues and diversity long before most others understood it.
She was an extraordinary teacher, mentor and colleague.
It was a privilege to work beside her .
My heartfelt condolences to Michael and her children.Thanks Kath. You will be missed.
JulieDecember 17, 2025 6:23 pm
Deepest heartfelt sympathy to
Michael, Damian & Maddie, Hannah, Chris & Freddy, on the sudden loss of our beautiful caring
Kathryn who has been cherished and loved part of our family over 40 years.
Kathryn has touched so many lives and has been a friend to all, she will be greatly missed by all of us.Love always,
Mary, Brad, Val, Emmett, Luther and Maverick.Ps. Last espisode of your beloved Neighbours, so glad you got to see it.
December 17, 2025 6:08 pm
I’m absolutely heartbroken. We all are.
You were the first member of the little team I put together when I was thrust into leadership in an unexpected place. You were my rock. My go to person. Now I’m the one in need some time on Kathryn’s couch but you won’t be there to talk me through it.
The work you do, have done, with our young people is like none other. No one else puts them as high on the priority list as you and so many of them wouldn’t be who or where they are today without having had you in their corner.
Your life, your legacy, is one I strive to emulate. What you achieved in your time in the education system is a path I want to walk.
You will forever be my reason for doing what I do. I’ll forever pause and think “what would Kathryn do”All my love to Michael, Damian, Hannah and their families. Although we weren’t really acquainted you were all a regular topic of conversation over a cup of coffee… However, in recent years we all know the real superstar of conversation was young Freddy!
❤️🩹
December 17, 2025 5:29 pm
On behalf of The Community Hub Inc Board, staff and L2P Mentors we offer our sincere condolences to Kathryn's family and friends. Kathryn was instrumental in the establishment of the Colac Otway L2P program and an ongoing contributor and supporter of the program. We shall all miss Kathryn and are ever grateful for her contribution.
December 17, 2025 2:07 pm
Today we honour our beautiful Aunty Kathryn — a one‑of‑a‑kind soul with the kindest, most generous heart. She was the sort of person who made the world better simply by being in it. Her passion for guiding young people and helping them grow into their best selves was something truly special. She gave her time, her wisdom and her love so freely, and so many lives are brighter because of her.
I will always treasure the adventures we shared over the past few years — whether it was catching up over high tea, enjoying a cheese platter, or eating your delicious sandwiches while building the deck. Those simple, joyful moments are memories I will hold close forever.
Aunty Kathryn, you will be missed more than words can say. Thank you for the love, laughter and warmth you brought into all our lives.
Sending all our love to Uncle Michael, Damian and Maddi, Hannah, Chris and Freddy.December 17, 2025 9:50 am
Ms Johns, thank you for being one of the best humans that I've had the privelege kmowing. Your support and encouragement during my time at Colac High School was appreciated beyond words. You letting me join your classes so I could get out of my own was pretty cool, too.
Condolences to the family.
December 16, 2025 7:28 pm