Kathleen Ann Alley

06/09/1949 - 11/16/2025

Kathleen Ann Alley passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family, on November 16, 2025. One of six siblings, Kathleen Ann Troutner, was born in Redding California to Reverend Ernest John Troutner and Doris Alice Troutner. Being a “PK”, Preacher's Kid, she moved with her family often, from California to Boston and places in between; they ultimately settled on Palo Alto California. Kathleen was Beautiful, funny and a non-stop talker. She’s an amazing loving spirit that always sees the best in people. Her life reflected positive strength, grace, generosity and kindness that touched everyone who knew or met her. She was a beacon of happiness and influenced the direction of the lives of her family. The memories of her are vivid, everything she touched carried her unmistakable finger print and energy. She was a once-in-a-lifetime gift that inspired the people around her, especially the ones she loved and loved her.

Kathleen graduated Las Lomas High School in Walnut Creek California and went on to the University of Nevada Reno graduating with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture. Kathleen made her home in Reno Nevada and ultimately married Charles Alley and moved to Las Vegas. Their marriage was one of family first, friendship, and humor with a passion for life, travel, and partnership throughout their years together. They ultimately made their home in Palo Alto where they raised their children, Charles III, Jonathan & Jillian Alley and Symon & Jason Sanborn. Kathleen loved her family deeply, her home, her work, gardening, book club and working on multiple creative projects.

She worked a short time at Cisco and twenty-six years at Lockheed Space Systems. She earned an INTCCM Certification from the International Certified Configuration

Management Association. As the Software Engineering Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin Palo Alto and Sunnyvale Campuses, she managed a large team responsible for supporting the Software Configuration Management effort for multiple programs across the company. She had many accomplishments and responsibilities at LM as a Senior Manager, but working on the Hubble Space Telescope program was something she was most proud of.

In her spare time, she was also the creator and author for the children’s book series “Come Follow Me” and created an animated character that leads children through learning about processes in everyday life. Kathleen was known for her involvement in the local community and her professional contributions in technology and education.

Kathleen is survived by her loving husband, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, as well as, multiple nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, extended family and dear friends.

Kathleen's memory, her love, kindness and grace lives on in the many lives she touched, family and friends. She always had a bit of a twinkle in her eye, she was resilient and deeply human. She dealt with life’s joys and sorrows with practicality and grace; and for those of us who are left, our lives are richer for having the pleasure of sharing life’s journey with her. We will miss her, but more so, we will remember her… She left a mark on all of us that will never fade. She, and the memory of her, will be an ongoing blessing to us all.

Services for Kathleen will be planned after the Holidays, the family will send out notification.

She did love flowers, especially colorful flowers, or please, in lieu of flowers, consider a small one time contribution in Kathleen's name, “Kathleen Ann Alley”, to one of her favorite foundations that she faithfully supported throughout her life:

https://nationalparks.org/

https://www.audubon.org/

https://protect.worldwildlife.org/