Her Name Was Kathy: Remembering How She Lived
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. During this month, we often share statistics, warning signs, and resources, and these conversations are essential. But behind every statistic is a person: someone with a name, a story, people who loved them, and dreams for a future they should have had. My stepdaughter Kathy was one of those people.
When I speak about Kathy, I never want her death to become the most important part of her story. Kathy was so much more than the way she died. She lived, loved, dreamed, laughed, created, and brought kindness into the lives of those who knew her. I want people to remember how she lived and the beautiful person she was.
Her name was Kathy.
She lived 25 beautiful years.
She had the sweetest smile and the softest voice.
She was a daughter.
She was a sister.
She played the cello.
She loved cooking and baking.
She loved gardening.
She loved animals.
She loved making Christmas cookies for the neighbors.
She was in college.
She loved reading and writing poems.
She loved traveling.
She loved Word Search puzzles.
She loved Indian food…especially Chicken Tikka Masala and garlic naan.
She loved knitting.
She loved nature.
She loved DIY projects.
She loved singing around the house.
She dreamed of becoming an anthropologist.
She was the kindest person I ever knew.
She was loved.
She was important.
She was a million other beautiful things that could never fit on this list.
And then, one day, depression and suicide took away all the tomorrows she should have had.
Her name was Kathy, and in her name we are asking you to:
Learn the warning signs of suicide.
Talk openly about mental health.
Check on the people you love, even those who seem okay.
Listen without judgment, create a safe space for honest conversations, and help someone connect with professional support when they need it.
We cannot change Kathy’s ending, but together we may be able to change someone else’s.
If you or someone you know is struggling, please call or text 988 in the United States to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Free, confidential support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.