Dear, Mr. & Mrs. Burrows, Emily & Kat’s family ( I knew your Mom as Kathy). So sorry to hear the battle she & you all had to endure. When we grew up, for a short time together in Lincoln, she was always smiling & so kind to be with! She touched a lot of lives & I’m sure God has said to her “Welcome home good & faithful servant!” May The Lord continue to bless you all with comfort & peace in the difficult times ahead. Love from the Thompson’s
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My heart breaks for your unimaginable loss....
I knew Kat as my fearless dean at NOVA, someone who pushed me when I didn't always want it (great, unwavering leader) yet was in my corner when I needed it (genuine, honest ally). She rallied for me on several occasions when I was dealing with personal issues and shared her own stories to comfort and empathize. When I confided in her or struggled to ask for support, she always smiled through shared tears with a plan of action. She was a "no BS" person and would set her sights on finding a solution to any issue. No matter the problem, she always treated me with respect, which I always appreciated.
Looking back, we were more alike than I realized...our commitment to family, dedication to NOVA and education, connection to CU, health battles, and unwavering strength. Kat was a fighter whose beauty never faded with a smile and laugh that would light up the room...someone I admired from afar. She touched many lives and won't soon be forgotten. I'm thankful to have known her.
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2018, Achieving The Dream Conference
February 21st 2018- Kat and her colleagues (other conference Attendees from Northern Virginia Community College)
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She was always "in the moment" in any dialogue I had with her, whether it was very serious or ridiculously inane. I always felt like her objective in any conversation was to be 100% engaged in the present, free of distractions that many lead many astray....which is very unique in a world fraught with diversions.
In response to "What made Kat different from most people you know?"
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My heart goes out to your family and to all who loved her. I was lucky enough to know Kat through our work together on the Mental Health Task Force at Northern Virginia Community College. She, like me, was passionate about making sure that our students had access to free, quality mental health service, delivered in person, directly on our campuses. When I tell you that she was meticulous in laying out our case will surprise no one who knew her. She was amazing at making sure that we dotted our i's and crossed our t's. And whenever I needed advice, she was always quick to pick up the phone and give me some of her clear thinking. She was an outstanding colleague and will be greatly missed.
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Empathy. With her incredible wit, intelligence, success and beauty she could have easily gone down the path of snobbery. But you'd be hard-pressed to find someone that truly cared about others, especially those that had more struggles and obstacles in their lives - as if everyone else's contentment was equally or more important than hers. I recall my last conversation with her, which was several months after her diagnosis. While she clearly had a rocky road ahead she was more concerned about how it was going to impact those around her than herself. This trait is uncommon but it is part of the equation that made her such a unique and cherished friend.
In response to "What did you learn from Kat?"
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I first met Kat at Evergreen High school. She was the sweetest, smartest and most giving person. She continued on to CU and we passed paths several times. I did not see her again until several years later in Beaufort SC. I was taking a step class she was teaching and we started talking to each other saying I know you and went through many scenarios until we remembered the beginning at EHS! She still was the sweetest, smartest and most giving person and I am so blessed to have been a part of different stages of our lives. We have an ongoing Red Sangria joke...David would remember:-) and wonderful memories of her trying to ride an Ice sculpture polar bear for the 'two seconds' she lasted then thumped the floor. She rose up in perfect form. Kat brought so much joy to everyone with her amazing voice, her quick wit and her passion for education and students. And of course her love for her family and friends. My heart breaks but I also know she would want us to celebrate her life. Hugs and prayers go out to you Sneech, Sarah and Jake.
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1994, Kat & Daves house, Beaufort
My baby shower, given by Kat
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I met Kat our junior year at CU, and immediately developed a massive crush on her. She was the coolest girl on campus…whip-smart and quick-witted, with great style and a 1000 watt smile, and always listening to the next great band way before the rest of us….she was ahead of the curve. But what really struck me was the quiet, genuine confidence she possessed while most of us were just faking it at that stage in our lives. I haven’t talked to Kat in 30 years…. She was someone I knew for a relatively short period of time, a really long time ago. But she left an indelible impression on me. I can’t begin to fathom the impact she must have had on her close friends, colleagues, and, of course, her family. I am so sorry for your loss…hopefully there is some peace and comfort in knowing how fortunate you all are to have known and loved such a special person.
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Kat, I was never brave enough to tell you how envious I was of you. You had it all and were so confident. You were beautiful, smart, kind, and a wonderful wife and a fantastic mother. You had it all but God needs you now. You have more “perfect people “ to train. No one could do it better than you will! Please know that Sara and Jake will follow in your footsteps and be all that you made them to be. You will be missed in this world.
-Lina and John KrAtzert
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