Kathleen Eleanor Alger, age 60, died Dec. 18, at her home on Bainbridge Island.

She was born June 9, 1943, in Chicago, Ill., to Bernard and Helen (Chichostepski) Milligan.

She served in the U.S. Army, where she met Stanton “Bud” Alger. They were married on

Oct. 11, 1963.

She was always “close to the earth,” studying anthropolgy at the University of California, Berkeley, and UC-Los Angeles. She was a Washington State University Master Gardener and worked at Bainbridge Gardens.

She home-schooled her son, Fred, and worked at the Home School Support Center.

She is survived by her husband, Bud, Bainbridge; son Frederick Alger, San Luis Obispo, Calif.; brother Wayne Milligan, Hatfield, Mo.; sisters Susan Milligan, Orange County, Calif., and Marla Tally, Rio Monte, Calif.

A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Dec. 27 at the Sequoia Center on Miller Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Bainbridge Public Library, 1270 Madison N.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.