Kathleen Spiller Woodside, 50, Cultural Booster And Loyal Friend

When Kathleen Spiller Woodside was diagnosed with the brain tumor that eventually killed her, she was the one who was strong for family and friends.

Mrs. Woodside, who was known as Katie, was well-known for her volunteer work and her support of arts and cultural events in Seattle. She died Friday at age 50 after a long struggle with cancer.

"She took care of people," said Tom Wilson, a friend who considered himself a part of Mrs. Woodside's extended family of friends. When two older friends had terminal illnesses, he said, Mrs. Woodside helped care for them and fixed dinner for them regularly.

"This is a huge loss to the people who were close to her," Wilson said.

"She handled it so well through her sickness. She was so strong. She handled it like the trouper she was," Wilson said.

Mrs. Woodside grew up on Capitol Hill, attending Holy Names Academy and the University of Washington.

There she was a student and fan of poet Theodore Roetke, according to her husband, Chester, a Madison Park dentist.

The Woodsides established the Charles Duncan Woodside Guild, named for a son with Down's Syndrome who died as an infant.

Mrs. Woodside was a vice president of PONCHO and served on the board of the Empty Space Theatre. She also was active with the Child Development and Mental Retardation Center at the University of Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Cornish College of the Arts, Museum of History and Industry, March of Dimes and American Heart Association.

Woodside said his wife hated athletics but always supported family members in their activities. She was a member of the Washington Athletic Club and Seattle Tennis Club.

"We all will miss her for this," Woodside said. "She was the Miss Manners of Seattle. She knew everything there was to know about which knives and forks and dishes to use. People were always calling her asking how to respond to some invitation, and she always knew how to answer them."

Mrs. Woodside is survived by her husband; a daughter, Collins, and son, John Rushton, both of Seattle; sisters Mitzi Stewart and Joan Saxton, also of Seattle; brothers Pete Spiller, Olympia, and Tom Spiller, Seattle; and aunts Margaret McNamara, Seattle, and Lucille Hazel, Yakima.

A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. tomorrow at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 732 18th Ave. E.

Her family suggests memorials to Empty Space Theatre, P.O. Box 1748, Seattle, 98111, or the Brain Tumor Research Foundation, Department of Neurological Surgery, R1-20, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle WA 98195.