Our precious Mama/Grandma Kathleen Ann Torgersrud Allen Varela passed away in her sleep on October 1, 2022 at 2:12am. She fought hard but ultimately lost a brutal battle with pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family with her last breath.


Kathy was born on 12/23/1956 in San Pedro, CA to Dixie Ann and Bert Torgersrud. Kathy and her brother David lost their mother at a very young age and that shaped their whole lives. Bert remarried and Brad and Elizabeth(Libby)Torgersrud were born. Later, Kathy's father remarried and The Lairds were introduced to the family. Wayne, Denise, Steven and David Laird became part of the Torgersrud family with Denise becoming a sister and lifelong best friend of Kathy. Kathy married Donald Hope Allen III (of San Pedro) when she was 20 years old and again her world changed. Kathy's reason for living were her three babies- Dana Lynn (Chuck Crossland) Joan Hope (Chris Crosby) and Jamie Day (Jeremiah Ascherman) Allen. Kathy became a widow and remarried Daniel Varela (of San Pedro) who passed away shortly after they wed. In 1994 Kathy and her daughters left San Pedro, CA and moved to Red Bluff, CA. Kathy spent many wonderful years working as a caregiver for the elderly and with disabled adults, becoming a school bus driver in her final years. While Kathy was a wonderful Mama, Sister and friend, she was an AMAZING Grandma!! Her grandbabies were Camron Charles and Kathleen Patricia Crossland. Kannon Dale and Julia Joan-Marie Hoofard. Baylee Jane, Nathan William and Jordan Lynn Crosby. Kathy was incredibly proud and fiercely loyal to each of her grandchildren. Kathy was the heart of our family, and each one of us knew how much we were loved. Kathy's soul shined so bright and she touched so many lives. Our Mama will be missed every day for the rest of our lives.