Kathianne Osburn

Celebrating the Colorful Life of Kathianne Osburn Kathianne Osburn (Badgwell) was born Aug. 21, 1946, in Ada, Okla., to John and Helyn Badgwell. She had two older siblings, Pam Stacy and J. Michael Badgwell, M.D. The family moved to Tulsa, Okla., where Kathianne grew up, attending Raymond S. McLain High School. She was part of the 1964 graduating class. She attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1968. Kathianne married Richard Osburn in 1969. The couple resided in El Paso, Texas, Ardmore, Okla., and Idabel, Okla. They had one child, Brooke, and divorced in 1976. Kathianne moved to Oklahoma City where she taught in the Oklahoma City Public School District for more than 30 years, teaching such subjects as English, composition, literature, creative writing, journalism, drama, speech, debate, photography and videography. She also sponsored several school yearbooks and newspapers. She was an Artist-in-Residence for the State Arts Council of Oklahoma and achieved numerous honors and awards, including a trip to the Kennedy Center and the White House when she and one of her students from the Classen School of Advanced Studies received the highest award in the country for photography. She earned a Master of Arts degree from Central State University in 1982 and taught as an adjunct professor at OSU/OKC. She was born to teach. She truly enjoyed expanding the minds and talents of her students and felt she learned just as much from them. She ran in an artistic circle and was active in many poetry readings and contests. She is a published poet and author. Kathianne had an adventurous spirit, which led her to travel. She moved to England in 1985 to study at Ralph Waldo Emerson College. She then moved to Pasadena, Calf., where she taught school and explored her musical side, teaching herself to play very basic guitar and write songs. She even recorded a record, Okie Girl. She left California to live and teach in Maui, Hawaii, before returning home to Oklahoma City in the mid ‘90s. She opened an art gallery, KAOS, and started her own retail business, Cosmic Cowgirl. Over the years, she had booths in Stockyards City, Western Trail Trading Post, Apple Orchid Antique Mall, The Feathered Nest, The Funky Trunk, The Rink Gallery, and most recently Bad Granny's in the Plaza District. One of her passions was hunting for treasures at thrift stores and garage sales. She loved shopping for anything American Indian, Western and vintage. Kathianne did what many long to do but are often unable or unwilling. She followed her heart and chased after her dreams no matter the obstacles in front of her. She lived an authentic life, had a childlike purity and a good sense of humor. She was a gentle, giving and compassionate soul. She will be remembered for her intelligence and innate kindness. Her grandchildren Blakely (6) and Ryder (4) were her true joy. They were the light of her life and they knew it. She is preceded in death by her mother, father and sister. She is survived by her daughter Brooke Cayot, her son-in-law Eric Cayot, her grandchildren Blakely and Ryder, her brother Michael Badgwell, her sister-in-law Lynn Badgwell, several nieces, nephews, cousins and countless friends. She will be greatly missed. Kathianne died June 9, 2016; she was 69 years old. A celebration of her life will be held Tuesday, June 21, 4 to 6 p.m. at The Parish, located at 1757 N.W. 16th St. in the Plaza District. Those who knew her are invited to come read a poem, play a song, tell a story or share a memory. The event will be casual and very informal. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a monetary donation in Kathianne’s name to the Plaza District. Checks can be made to the Plaza District Association or you can donate online at plazadistrict.org/donate. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Kathianne Osburn please visit our Sympathy Store.