Oh no… 
Thank you for letting us know.
She was incredibly witty and funny. What a terrible loos to the world, but what a blessing it was to have her.
-The Whit
Pictures!
-When all else fails, play dead.
It is always so very sad to lose someone so vital and inspirational.
May she be remembered for her jest for life in times that were bleak.
If there are angels, she surly has earned her hallow.
<BLOCKQUOTE class=“ip-ubbcode-quote”><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by coreene:
I have tried and tried to compose a letter to John Strassburger, but I can’t make it come out right.
Erin, any pull here? I think the Rocketman photo needs to be immortalized in print as well.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I was actually thinking about this today, but didn’t have a chance to shoot off an email to the COTH folks.
It would depend on whether or not her family would be willing to share the pertinent horse-related info, but I will certainly let the COTH know and see if they can do something.
They don’t run pictures with obituaries, though, so the Rocketman will have to be immortalized here on the BB instead.
I’m also keeping an eye on the Yuma newspaper for an obit, and will post it here if one is printed.
Oh dear…that’s truly horrible, and she will be forever missed here and in the “real” world. She was certainly an infinitely kind person; she even emailed me once or twice when I posted about feeling down in the dumps from the PNW weather, life, etc. She was amazingly kindhearted, a real fighter, and a wonderful person whose absence will be felt by us all for a long time to come.
- One must think when looking at a horse that it hears music inside its head
- check out my diary! http://carpediem4gp.diaryland.com
- PNW Clique: Fuzzy Horses, Frizzy Humans!
I am sitting here crying, an internist, who has been here before: but you people are something else! May Cactuskate be pain free now, with all the friends, two and four legged. They are all there with you now!
MGR - you said it - that picture of Cactuskate riding complete with her oxygen tanks truly put my life in perspective, and gave me insight into what true courage is all about.
If anyone has any contact with Kate’s family and “non-cyber” friends, please let them know that she will be truly missed by many, and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends.
[I]"You can pretend to be serious; you can’t pretend to be witty. "
- Sacha Guitry (1885-1957) *[/I]
My sympathies go out to her family, loved ones and friends. Clearly as evidenced by the many tributes and outpourings on this thread she was a beloved individual who touched many people’s lives. For that she enriched this community by leaving this a better place and hopefully has gone to an even better one for herself.
I too will never, ever forget those pictures of her riding with an oxygen tank. She obviously touched many lives. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
This was read at the beginning of the Queen Mother’s recent funeral. I find it highly appropriate for Kathy as well.
[I]You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile becuse she has lived.
You can close your eyes and hope that
she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.[/I]
Wow. Not the news I was expecting (or hoping for) when I opened this thread.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family, as she must be in a far better place now.
I’ve always enjoy Cactuskate’s posts on this BB. Unfortunately, because of my sporadic schedule, I’ve managed to miss all the threads about her illness, and had not a clue until I read this thread just a while ago…wasn’t she posting until fairly recently, like a week or two ago?
I just read the “An absentBB’er checks in…” and I can’t tell you how surreal it was reading her post and seeing the pics for the first time, knowing she’s “gone”.
What a truely remarkable and inspirational being you were Kate! We will miss you!
I’m sorry My thoughts go out to her family and friends. This BB won’t forget her, she will be greatly missed.
I always get my CoTH very late, and then this time I didn’t read it until last night. I was shocked to hear the news! I have been swamped and barely had time to go out on the dressage board, and no one mentioned this that I had seen.
Truly sad. Did anyone put together some of her best posts as a memorial out here? I haven’t seen it if they have…
It’s all about ME, ME, ME!!! (The only signature worthy of a real DQ.)
I have tried and tried to compose a letter to John Strassburger, but I can’t make it come out right.
Erin, any pull here? I think the Rocketman photo needs to be immortalized in print as well.
What will happen to Bud? I am sure that Kathy had everything taken care of, but I would like to know.
Her strenght and grace were amazing. May everyone that knew her be proud of her in this hard time. God Bless.
Bucksnort
damn…maybe that’s why I was thinking of her yesterday, when I hadn’t for awhile. Met some lovely folks who are from the Tacoma Polo Club, and they had lived here in Bend, where Kate was from (which is why I began the connection, loose as it was, with her via email).
Her brother lives here, don’t know about her parents, will check our paper for an obit to share. Damn again, I am very sad, but pleased she will be able to be met by all her friends and animals who have passed before her.
Cheers Kate!
The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
very sad news.
I was so sad to hear this news. As FairWeather said I to will always remember “The picture of her riding that big horse with an oxygen tank on her back is ingrained in my memory.” She touched many of us and will continue to with her strength. My prayers are with her family and friends. She lived life to the fullest and we should honor her by trying to do the same.
Maria
