Kathy packed enough fun and achievements for three lifetimes into her 64 years. From the moment she entered the world, she eagerly embraced all life had to offer. Her family remembers her climbing out of her crib, ready to explore, and that craving for adventure never wavered. Vivacious and fun-loving, Kathy constantly embroiled her sisters in various escapades as well as her many school friends, who recalled her incredible ability to hot-wire a car! For Kathy, life was to be lived full-throttle and whether it was rousing people for a 5 a.m. road trip to New Hampshire, hosting legendary Christmas parties, or gathering work colleagues for impromptu Margarita parties at the end of a hectic work week, she was game.
Kathy was initially unsure of her path in life. She had dropped out of college and was working at Bass River Group Home and as a teaching assistant when everything changed. Her connection with the kids and the excitement of helping them learn sparked a passion that never faded. Teaching would be her life’s work. While working two jobs, she went back to school and got her Bachelor’s degree from Lesley College. (One of those jobs was at the Bass River Residential Group home where she was a teacher’s aide; she would later spend a large part of her career here). Kathy went on to earn her Master’s. She launched her career at the Northshore Education Consortium’s, working with young adults with special needs.
At Northshore Education Consortium’s, Kathy was committed to teaching her students life skills; to do that, she opened a café and store at the school. Here, students learned basic cooking skills, how to make change, manage food supplies, shop, and much more. Her fellow teachers joked that she made sure bacon was cooking each morning since the aroma spread through the school and drew everyone to the café. Kathy’s kids loved working there and learned valuable lessons about work and life. But Kathy’s efforts didn’t stop with the cafe—she hosted chili-making contests and Super Bowl parties—anything that would engage her kids and the school. An avid crafter, she expanded her efforts to creating craft fairs and teaching jewelry making. These provided her students with more ways to grow and let them create meaningful items. Her colleagues knew that if a problem arose, Kathy’s can-do drive would kick in and she would find a way around, over or through. Once she had a dream, nothing stopped her from making it real. During her time at Northshore Education Consortium’s, Kathy thrived along with her kids, bringing a dynamic spirit and endless innovations to her teaching. She changed every life that she touched.
Kathy eventually retired from teaching. She later found time to start Holten Street Creative Spaces in Danvers, where she featured crafts and artisanal goods from around the region, and hosted special events. She continued to serve on the Board of Governors at Bass River, which was an integral part of her life for over 25 years. During her last year, she somehow found time and energy to keep Holten Street Creative Space going for the sake of her artists.
Kathy stayed in touch with all of her kids, attending their celebrations and graduations, and offering encouragement. Just as she helped them achieve fulfilling lives, their successes kept her going, especially during her eight-year battle with cancer.
While working with her students was Kathy’s main passion, she was a person of many interests. Her artist’s eye led her to become an excellent self-taught photographer; she loved gardening, and the oasis created by her and her husband, Michael, won many Beverly gardening awards. She and Michael loved to travel and Kathy’s adventurous spirit frequently had them heading off to parts unknown. Kathy LOVED her family, and parties, beach get-togethers or spontaneous jaunts filled her calendar. Anyone lucky enough to be Kathy’s friend or relative knew she would do anything for them.