Sad news. Longtime Surf Pines and Astoria resident—and dear old friend—Kathy Arndt passed away during the night of January 2, 2026.

Kathy was the consummate supporter of many local service groups and a friend to countless people. She continued to actively support the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank in Astoria, which her mother, Alice, and husband, Charlie Turina, helped establish many years ago.

Kathy moved to Astoria in 1964 with her family, including six siblings, when her father, Patrick O’Brien, was brought in to supply concrete and labor for the construction of the Astoria–Megler Bridge. Aside from a few years away for school and new adventures, Kathy, her husband Ray, and daughter Brooke spent most of their lives on the Clatsop Plains and have lived in Surf Pines since the early 2000s.

Kathy and Ray have been among my wife Annie’s and my closest friends for more than 33 years. We will miss Kathy’s ever-upbeat, caring spirit—something she shared freely with everyone she met. As many will understand, her family now needs time to process this profound loss.