Kathy was my first friend when I moved to Kansas City in July of 1958. It was the summer before our junior year at Shawnee Mission North high school. I was a bereft teenager, having left my Oregon high school and all my friends. She embraced me with her friendship and never let go. I cherish the memories and will sorely miss the pleasure of her company. To live in this world you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go. ~Mary Oliver

Kathy McGowan was one of a kind. I met her at Broughton High School in 2000 during my first year there. One of the clubs I had been sponsoring held an after-school cultural event in my classroom. I had run to the restroom while the students were setting up, and when I returned, there was a teacher in the room engaged with all the students as she asked questions about their Islamic culture. She let them know they were respected and welcome. At the start of her LAST year at Broughton, Kathy asked this question of the staff: "Why are we making new teachers travel from room-to-room (because of lack of classrooms) when they are the ones who need to be nurtured?". She offered to give up her room to a new teacher so the newbie would have a home base and not have to worry about navigating the crowded hallways between classes as they rushed to arrive at their next classroom. As someone who loved having my "own" room, with all my resources on hand, this really made an impression on me. What a wise and thoughtful person she was! Unfortunately, at the start of that year, Kathy broke some bones in her foot at home. I recall seeing her push her cart down my hallway (wearing a boot!) as she rushed to her next class. I wondered how this could happen to such a kind person. I asked if she regretted giving up her room, and she said, "Not at all. New teachers need to put down their roots and have their own space". What a classy woman. I'm sad that I will miss Kathy's funeral, but want her family to know that she was beloved at Broughton. It was great being in the BHS Staff Book Group with her. I valued her thoughtful opinions. I echo many when I say that I feel fortunate that our paths crossed. RIP, Kathy McGowan.