Hi everyone,
We are sorry to announce the passing of a truly lifelong friend of many in the Caribou Club, Kathy Hively Campbell, who crossed that silent sea at the age of 80, on March 24, 2025, in Colorado, after losing a two year battle with cancer. Kathy had a son, Michael, whose father, Paul Campbell, another Caribou legend, passed away in 2019. If you have any words to express, or photos, please send them to me, and I'll put them on the Caribou Club website.
Abby's dedication to Kathy
Kathy and I first met during our freshman year of high school. Over the years, our friendship only grew stronger as we shared slumber parties, drive-ins, beach days, sock hops, cruising Van Nuys Blvd., horseback riding, *Love at the Greek*, egging, and all the mischievous fun San Fernando Valley kids loved to get into.
Most people have heard the infamous story of how we got caught egging Corvallis High School. What bothered Kathy most wasn’t that all eight of us were expelled—it was that Principal Mother Paulus accused her of “driving the getaway car.” Which, to be fair, was true. But in Kathy’s eyes, that comment was deeply offensive!
We worked together at Joseph Magnin in Sherman Oaks Fashion Square for about two years, where she hilariously schemed to get the two employees above us fired so we could rise up the corporate ladder faster. The only things that actually went up fast were our wardrobes—and our credit card balances. Every day we’d walk to the Jolly Roger and split a grilled tuna sandwich on sourdough with crispy fries and blue cheese dressing.
One of my all-time favorite Kathy stories is when she told me that she and Paul had bought a horse. She was thrilled because the horse was pregnant—“two for the price of one,” she said. They boarded it at a ranch in Canoga Park, and we’d often go riding. Some time later, Kathy asked me to come with her to meet the vet for a check-up. After examining the horse, the vet turned to Kathy and said, “Your horse isn’t pregnant—it’s just fat.” Kathy fainted on the spot. When she came to, she looked up at us and groaned, “How’m I gonna tell Paul?”
Kathy was one of the most fun-loving people you could ever hope to know. Her loyalty was unmatched. I was so lucky to call her my friend. When Jim passed away, Kathy never left our side. She was there for Shannon and me, no matter what we needed. One great summer memory is Kathy showing up in a green VW station wagon, packed and ready for Lake Piru. We’d plant our banana chairs at the edge of the lake, sip our drinks, smoke cigarettes, and watch Shannon and Michael throw mud pies at each other. She made sure Shannon and I were always out having fun—SeaWorld, Knott’s Berry Farm, Busch Gardens, bowling—you name it, she had it planned.
In 1980, I moved to Oregon, and sadly, we lost touch. But thirty years later, after I moved back to the Valley, we reconnected. With Kathy, it was like no time had passed. By then, she had three beautiful grandkids—Connor, Madison, and Katie—and I had never seen a more devoted and loving grandmother. This time around, I had to share her. The grandkids always came first.
During the early days of COVID, we’d sit in the car near a pond or park, eat sandwiches, and people-watch. Sometimes, she’d hop out of the car, sneak a couple of drags on a Newport, and hop back in looking like she just got away with something. And then—after over 50 years of smoking—she quit cold turkey. Who does that?
After she and the family moved to Fort Collins, Colorado, Kathy insisted we talk every night. Most of those conversations were about nothing—but they meant more than a lot of somethings. When she could no longer talk by phone, Michael kept me updated. He and the kids were always by her side, right up until the day she decided to ride that “getaway car” one last time—straight up into the big blue sky.
I miss her with all my heart.
From left to right...Mystery girl yawning in background,
Kathy Hively, Pam Cardinet, Kathy Kelly
Kathy holding a picture of Shannon Flynn 1989
Kathy Kelleher, Pam Cardinet, Abby Flynn, Kathy Hively, Kathy Kelly
From Pam Healy
I am so sorry to hear of Hively's passing. Hively, that's what we called her, was one of our clique at Corvallis. From 1960-1962, Hively and the other six of us were notorious for naughtiness. We were the girls who drove the nuns crazy. Little did we all know, we would not be asked to return for our junior year. The nuns had had enough. But, until then, we carried on as if we were infallible. Hively was the first to get her license, the first to date a Navy guy, years older, and the first to have the HOUSE that we could order a liquor delivery while "mom was in the shower." As Hively was at the wheel at her Corvair, we packed in without a care in the world, smoking our Tareytons. Behind the wheel, Hively drove us wherever the party was and wherever any of us wanted to meet up with whomever. All the while, she would have a huge smile, love every minute of camaraderie, and act like none of us should have a care in the world, which, at that time, we didn't. She was the real deal, and she was great fun. I have met very few people who could match her love for life, her unconditional acceptance for everyone, and her loyalty to friends. Although, personally, I lost track of staying in touch with Hively very early on, once I moved from LA, I will always cherish the time that she made our high school years way more interesting than they would have been without her love for "whatever goes, let's do it!" My condolences for her family.
Aloha to all!
Pam Healy
Slightly out of focus, Jane Stafford, Rose Bevanda, Kathy Hively, Kathy Kelleher, Abby Flynn, Dorothy Hively, (Kathy's Mother), Pam Cardinet
L to R: Gene, (I know, I look like a Waikiki drug dealer),
Kathy and Paul Campbell, and sisters Lynn and Jane Schwalm
Here's a shot of Kathy's 70th birthday at son Michael's Home in Canyon Country before they moved to Colorado. Surrounding Kathy are Suzie C, (Tom's youngest sister), Kenny F, Paul A, Gene M, Tom C, Kathy's partner, and Dennis W. The rest are Hively/Campbells. I personally can spot a Campbell from a mile away.
From Kathy's son Michael Campbell
To my family and friends…..
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you the passing of our mom, grandma and friend Kathy Campbell. My mom was diagnosed with lung cancer on December 27, 2024. The cancer had spread and was at stage 4. Over the following couple months my mom had the heart of a lion and was ready to fight this. Unfortunately, her strength could not keep up with her determination. On Sunday March 9, 2024 at 4:59 my mom decided it was time to let go and join her place in heaven. During the last couple days my mom did let us know that she was ready. Those that know my mom knew that she had a kind and beautiful heart full of love. Please cherish the memories and time you spend with your loved ones.
Love big and judge small.