ECN magazine is saddened to report that our beloved director of sales, Kathy Anaya, passed away unexpectedly Nov. 17 at St. Rose Hospital in Henderson.
Kathy grew up in Ventura, Calif., and graduated from Buena High School in 1970 and attended Sawyers Business College as a Medical Business Major in 1971. She then attended Ventura College studying Medicine in the class of 1972 and spent several years working in medical billing and working as an office manager. She married Michael Coggins in 1970 and had two children, Michael Jr., and Teresa. They owned and operated Coggins Crafts, a hobby/arts/crafts store in Ventura, Calif. She was a very talented arts and crafts artisan herself, painting much of the décor at ECN and its backyard garden/meeting space.
She came to Las Vegas in 1997 to work for Greenspun Media Group and its Henderson Home News publication staying there nearly 15 years and ending as advertising team leader. She began working for ECN in 2012 and quickly rose to director of sales. Says ECN’s publisher, Don Svehla, “Kathy was integral in nearly every aspect of ECN–from running the office [between office managers and when our current office manager Sam was shot in the 1 October tragedy] to running my schedule to being on top of renewing all our advertisers, she was keeping it all together. We talked every day for the last five years, even when I was out of the country, we’d text. She will be deeply missed.”
ECN’s new editor, Jeanne Brei, expressed her condolences and said, “It’s been a tough couple of months for ECN. Kathy was incredibly supportive when I started working here full time back in August when Arthur’s illness and medication required that I be with him all the time. She knew the industry and this publication so well and she was always willing to share her knowledge with me. I will always be grateful for her support and training and making me feel welcome at ECN. And, of course, we will all miss her little Mimi who came to the office every day and sat at her feet.”
ECN’s art director, Thomas Speak, lamented, “Kathy was the heart of Exhibit City News and it is so hard thinking about publishing an issue without her. I was lucky enough to get to know her over the years at ECN and will dearly miss her warm heart, get ‘er done attitude and her die-hard passion for Dr. Pepper. I will miss our talks in the yard and my partner in crime at ECN.”
Her dear friend, Christina Hall, posted on her Facebook page that she would always remember “the kindness you had for your family, grandkids, friends, and the light that would shine from your soul. I will truly miss you, my friend. I really enjoyed working with you we had some fun times. Loved your dog Mimi, that you would always bring to work…she is so precious. You were a great supervisor and no one could ever replace you. I am thankful you are not sick and suffering anymore. Now you can rest in peace. Take care my friend, until we meet again on the other side.” Her BFF, Jill Peck Lake, also wrote on Kathy’s FB wall that “nobody could have asked for a better person than you, Kath, to have as a BFF. I feel so honored to have been that person on the other end of this friendship. Over the years I’ve seen your kindness, your generosity, the love you give to others, your kids and your grandkids. I’ve seen you work hard all your life, maybe a little too hard later in life and not nearly enough play. Remember the days we worked hard and played just as hard. I do, I know you do. You remember keglers and the bowling alley and how much fun work could be. I remember the day you introduced me to my husband and for that I will always be indebted to you. I guess I should stop now I could ramble on and on all night long about some of our memories. We have so many. I ask myself WHY you were taken from all of us. Then I think God takes all the good ones first! I love you, I miss you, I always will, your BFF.”
She is survived by her children, Michael (Cindy) Coggins and Teresa Fooks; grandchildren, Kalinda Fooks; Takeo Berry; Christopher, Caelin, Kayla, Ashley, Jacob and Jeremy Coggins; one-year-old great grandson Abel Ray Lara; brothers Bill (Jackie) and Gary McIllwain; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friends. RIP Kathy, you will live on in our hearts and memories.
Services will be Saturday, Dec. 9, 11 a.m., at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, Boulder City, NV 89005.
