Local flutist, songwriter, cowgirl, loving mother and devoted wife, Kathryn Rose Henn died April 26th, 2013 at the age of 61. She was the most perfect person I have ever known. Everyone who met her was overwhelmed by her charm, sweetness and gentle nature. You couldn’t help but love her. She was genuinely interested in and cared for everyone she knew. She believed and lived the philosophy that we are all one being. Nothing separates us. We are all God’s children.
With Kathy, others always came first, then her needs. Whenever anyone had a problem or just needed a shoulder to cry on, the first person they would reach out to was Kathy. You could always rely on her no matter what the cause.
Kathy was born November 8th, 1951 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles, CA, Kathryn Rose Dragon. She was the youngest child of world famous arranger, composer and conductor Carmen Dragon and opera soprano, Eloise Dragon. After Kathy’s birth, the Dragon Family moved to Malibu where they became a local fixture for the next 50 years and flourished on the enchanting sands of Carbon Beach.
Growing up in Malibu, Kathy attended Our Lady Of Malibu Parochial School and then transferred to Santa Monica High School. Her main passions during her early years were her horses, her pets, especially her parrot “Piccolo” and closest to her heart, the flute.
During high school she traveled to Switzerland where she attended the Montesano School in the quaint village of Gstaad. There she became fluent in French and was known as a terror on the local ski slopes.
After returning from Switzerland, she entered the USC Music School and eventually transferred to Mount Saint Mary’s College in Brentwood where she studied flute with Sheridon Stokes and graduated with a Bachelor of Music in flute performance.
During her college days, she met her future husband, local composer, arranger and conductor Richard Henn. On March 12, 1977 they were married at Our Lady of Malibu Catholic Church. During this period the happy couple performed together under the moniker, “The Rick & Rosey Trio” where they played nightclubs, weddings and parties in the Los Angeles area. As a song writing team, they wrote songs for artists Leon and Mary Russell, the Captain and Tennille and Kid Brother.
In 1983, the lovebirds (pun slightly intended) moved from their humble casa in Canoga Park back to their beloved Malibu on Point Dume. There they set about starting a family. On April 6th, 1988 Paul William Henn was born followed by Renee Elizabeth Henn on April 3rd 1993.
After Kathy’s father Carmen passed away in 1984, she started the Carmen Dragon Music Library renting his orchestral arrangements to symphonies all over the globe.
As a professional flutist, Kathy was a staple of the Malibu musical community. She performed at Our Lady of Malibu, Malibu Methodist Church, the Malibu Senior Center and as a member of “The Malibu Flute Quartet”. In 2003 with her daughter Renee, she created “The Malibu Musical Mermaids” comprised of Renee’s friends from Point Dume School. The all girl group of flutists led by Kathy performed all around Malibu.
As a member of the Our Lady Of Malibu Music Ensemble, parishioners were blessed every Sunday morning at the 8:00 AM mass by her gorgeous flute playing during the ceremony. She also created many inspired compositions for the various parts of the mass such as her “Lamb Of God”, “I Hear Your Voice” and “People Of The World”. During her entire musical life she taught blossoming young flutists and opened their eyes to the joys of music.
In 2011, she composed the song, “Malibu, I Love You” with her husband Richard, and won the Offcial Malibu City Song contest by a landslide.
She is survived by her husband and two children who will continue to honor her life on Point Dume in Malibu.
If your life was touched by Kathy’s warmth and kindness and you would like to celebrate her incredible life, there will be a memorial mass and a gathering afterward at Our Lady Of Malibu Catholic Church 3625 Winter Canyon Rd. Malibu, CA 90265 on Saturday, June 15th 2013 at 1:30 PM. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to kathyhennmemorial@ gmail.com.