I am going to archive these comments for the boys and me for the future. Some ideas for your comment posts:
1) How did you first meet Kathleen?
2) What was your most memorable Kathleen experience?
3) What funny event did you share with Kathleen?
Thanks for taking the time to post your special memories of Kathleen. Just click the Comments link below. You do you do not have to register to post a comment. Please leave your name in the body of your comments if you'd like us to know who you are. - Rodger
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13 comments:
I first met Kathleen in November of 1990. I had applied for the position of Community Services Director for the City of Creve Coeur. Kathleen was always there during interviews and since some of the duties I assumed had been hers, she helped initiate me into the system. We were the only two female department heads, although Kathleen always said she wasn't a department head (ha ha!). My best memory of Kathleen was after I had a family tragedy. Kathleen came into my office and kneeled down next to my desk (this was a rarity for Kathleen to bow down). She told me every year she prayed about who she should give a gift of the DAILY GUIDEPOST. She felt it was me. That gift made such an impact on my life that year. I let her know what a blessing it was and then I continued her gift of giving.
Kathleen and I would frequently go to lunch together. Being the only two female department heads was often difficult at times. I also did a lot of the duties that had previously been hers. I usually didn't things the same way Kathleen would and that would sometimes frustrate her, but it didn't stop the friendship. We both loved the Lord and that made the bond - not work because we usually disagreed about work issues (and political views, etc.). She DID have a good heart and was a good friend. I will miss her.
Marti
Dear Rodger and family,
Though I've only had the privilege of meeting Kathy a few times, it is obvious to me what a great lady she was.
During our short visits I enjoyed her spunk and remember her getting quite passionate about politics and sports. It was also evident that she was very rooted in her faith and family. For me it is always inspiring to meet someone like that and I remember telling Butch how much I enjoyed her.
On behalf of my family, please know that our hearts are with each of you.
Gail Keelin
I am Kathy's cousin Elaine. I was 13 years old when she was born. When I was a child, my mother used to babysit for her brother Donny because both of her parents worked. Donny and my brother Tom were the same age. They were the best of friends and played together and attended the same
school until the third grade. They made their First Holy Communion together because they were in
the same class. About that time, Kathy was born and she was so cute. I remember going to her Baptism party at her parents house in Berkely. She was the cutest baby and I couldn't wait to hold her. Everybody wanted to take turns holding her. Her father died when she was around one years
old. As a child, Kathy's mom, my Aunt Ann,would visit all her cousins in North St. Louis on University St. One time when we were attending Mass, Kathy announced to the whole congregation several times in her toddler voice: "Mr. Softy, Mr.Softy!" after she heard the servers ring the bells at communion. She thought she heard the icecream truck that used to come down her street.
Everyone around her smiled or laughed. Kathy's little face could light up any room. She had the
beautiful dark curly hair and the big brown eyes and the wonderful smile. Of course, that never left her. As she grew older, she was quite the little tomboy. Of course, she had to keep up with
her two older brothers. Her oldest sibling, Barbara was 20 years older, and so she was more like a second mother to her. They were always very close. My mom used to receive school photos of Kathy as she grew older. She always took such good pictures. To my knowledge,she made good marks in school as well. She always wanted to do
her best and she was quite competitive. Lastly, I'd like to say that each life is a miracle that changes the world and leaves it a better place than it was before. Kathy accomplished this. She loved her family so very much and her love will continue to live in our hearts forever.
I am Rodger's cousin on his mom's side. His mom was my Aunt Evelyn ( my father's lookalike sister). I've always liked my cousin Rodger even though we could hardly be more different (;. I never got a chance to meet Kathy except through e-mail, where she was always so bright and energetic, even on the printed page. She was kind and thoughtful to family members on our family Yahoo!list, although she probably hadn't met many of us at all. Rodger often kept the family on the list updated with the goings on in the busy Mansfield world and it was nice to read about the gatherings, the outings, the scout meetings. I would tell my friends how involved Rodger and Kathy were with their boys, Alex and Jon, how proud they seemed of them, and we would lament for kids who weren't so lucky to have parents who loved and cared as much and wouldn't or couldn't give that kind of energy. Reading the comments here has given me even more insight into the kind of person Kathleen was, and it's obvious she will be missed, but never forgotten.
(Cousin) Therra Cathryn in Atlanta, Ga.
I have know Kathleen since she started working for the City of Creve Coeur. We may not have been friends who spent time with each others family, but we were friends within our work environment. I sat with her on several committees and promotion boards for the police department. She was a person of strong convictions and sometimes very stubborn. However, she would always have time to listen to what you had to say, and give you her honest opinion. No one can ask for anything more.
She was very devoted to her family. We enjoyed sharing stories about our children and how they grew up so quickly. She was very pround of her family.
Sometimes her job meant long hours and she said she always wish she could have spent more time with her family. But, just as devoted to her family as she was, she was devoted to her job of service to the Creve Coeur community. During good times or bad, Kathleen was there. She was available. She was ready to help in whatever way she could. She had energy. I really believe she enjoyed her career.
I don't have any particular event or humorous story to tell. Each time we met during the business day there was always a greeting and a smile. At times, she had to be tough, because that's what the job called for.
I truly liked Kathleen, and I will miss her.
I'm Kathy's cousin Madonna. Kathy was our youngest cousin and my first baby cousin. I remember being excited when I first visited her and hoping that at seven I'd be consider old enough to hold her
.
My dad was close to Kathy's mom and was a supportive brother and uncle, especially after Kathy's dad died. When Kathy was older she wrote a letter expressing her gratitude for my dad in her life. Kathy's ability to be aware and grateful was, in my experience, Kathy's particular charism. Her ability to be aware of blessings and be grateful for them, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, led her to a joyful way of living that I found inspiring.
Kathy and I shared a love of family and a delight in our Polish heritage. In my recent travels through Poland, I carried Kathy in my heart and looked forward to sharing stories with her. I knew she would be excited and enthusiastic about our adventures. I wish I could have shared the DVD we made for her.
I appreciated Kathy's joie de vivre, her honesty, her humor, her faith, her integrity, her intelligence, her self-confidence, and the ways she loved you, her husband and children, so deeply. She told me, "The Lord brought the right man into my life. so kind and patient. I appreciate the way he gives perspective."
She once told me that, "I'm not going to let death take over my life. I see it as part of a journey. Each day I ask what am I going to learn today? How will I be touched by it? How will I touch others?" She lived as she hoped. Kathy lived life fully. She touched me by her wisdom and love. I will miss her physical presence in the world, but I trust that her beautiful spirit lives on.
Love,
Madonna
The Keatings and the Mansfields were brought together by what we first thought was coincidence and now know to be God's providence. I've had the privilege of knowing Rodger since were were 18 years old. My wife and I first met Kathy when we came to visit the Mansfields on our vacation. We sat around your dining room table eating carry out spaghetti and sub sandwiches. How surprised we were, a few year's later, to discover that in relocating to a new city, we'd also be living in adjoining subdivisions, and that our kids would be attending school together. What we loved about Kathy was her faith that had carried her each step of her journey, her unending joy for life, and her love for her family. I shared a story about Kathy in a sermon recently. I told my congregation that what impressed me, and still touches me, is that Kathy never said, "Why me." Instead she simply asked, "What are you teaching me, Lord?" She is our angel, and always will be. These past few days, as painful and difficult as they have been, have made a profound impact on both Carol and I. We shall always be grateful to Kathy, and to you. As best as we can, we will always be there for each of you. God's peace, Chris, Carol, Katie, Christine, Cindy & Dean.
One day 19 years ago, Mark said that we were going to have a rider with us to the MCMA at Lake of the Ozarks. It tunred out to be Kathleen. She had just come out of a really bad marriage and we talked all the way there. She said how much she would like to find the man of her dreams and have a family.
It wasn't too long after that when she introduced us to her betrothed, Roger. We fell for him just as fast as we had fallen for Kathleen. Roger and I soon learned that we both had a love of technology and I was always happy to talk with Roger and learn what new "toy" I should purchase. He first introduced me to the wonders of Blackberry.
And then the rest of Kathleen's dream was realized when she had Jonathon and Alex. There were the second and third stars in her universe. We had such fun with them at the SLCMA picnics and watched as they grew and mastered walking, talking and potting training.
It was at an ICMA conference (and I can't really remember where) that Kathleen first talked to me about her breathing problems. They had not been able to diagnos the problem yet and so we just talked and commiserated. When she found out that it was Scleraderma she called me because she knew that I had a sister disease called Rhuematoid Arthritis. We often talked about our illnesses and shared the latest in medications and side effects.
I know that Kathleen loved nature. When I went to visit her at home one day for lunch, she was very proud of the bird intercom Roger had installed in the yard so that she could listen to the birds in the house even when she didn't have the strength to go outside.
Roger, Alex and Jonathon you should know that Kathleen had a wonderful outlook on life. She laughed so easily and enthusiastically even when she was feeling lousy. She loved all three of you passionately. May her memory be a comfort to you and a source of strength. I will miss her terribly as I know you will too.
Lesley Levin
Roger,& Boy's,
Ellen, and I, are sharing the loss of Your wonderful Wife,& Mother of Your Son's. Hopefully We can be together again.
Kathy came to the Keys to visit, when we were on the canal on Luna Ln. We fished, swam, skied, explored some Mangrove islands, I took to her,warmth, and compassion within a few min. of being in her presents. She was the Best Guest we ever had in our 8 yrs. of the Keys life. She was a fighter, We loved her dearly.
Ed& Ellen
I met Kathleen in 1996; from the moment I walked into the room where she was you could tell she had a 'presence'. Quite honestly, she could be very intimidating, that is until you realized that it was her passion for doing a job and doing it the very best way possible. Of course, we butted heads on occassion, both of us being very stong willed and passionate about what we believed in.
I remember walking by her office one morning to say hi and instead of the normal response, she said what's wrong? A variety of circumstances had left me feeling overwhelmed at that particular time so we talked (well I talked she listened). In her typical fashion, she told me what she thought would be the best options and then gave me a hug; telling me that anytime I needed to talk, she would be there to listen. That's the Kathleen i'll remember.
Rodger-thank you for taking the time these past few weeks to keep us all updated on Kathleen. I know that it has been a terrific struggle for both you and the boys. Kathleen may be gone in body but she will live on in yours and our hearts.
Rodger, Jon, and Alex,
This is from Erin Zahner. I met Kathy first through the cub scout program at Oakbrook Elementary. She was also my neighbor and we grew to be friends. Probably my most enjoyable memories with Kathy was the times that we camped with our boys with the cub scouts. She was always so prepared for anything that may happen. I'll also never forget the time that we had the opportunity to go on a field trip to the zoo with our sons in 6th grade. It was on that day that I told her that I was moving to Wentzville. We cried together and agreed to stay in touch. We had a great day with our kids that day. I'm sure that this is one memory that Jon holds deep in his heart, too. I just want to say that Kathy was a great friend. You all are great friends to our whole family. Kathy was very special and I'm so glad and priveleged to have gotten to be a part of her life. She was very full of life and full of Jesus. She was a positive person to be around and it always blessed me when I'd come over to your house or walked up to the van when Kathy would be driving by and I'd hear music playing - always music worshipping Jesus. She was an awesome Christian woman and friend. Knowing that she has a relationship with Jesus and that she is now in heaven is a source of comfort that cannot be expressed with words. Someday those of us with the same faith in God as Kathy will see her again in heaven. I hope knowing that is an encouragement to others as much as it is to me. I will continue to pray for you guys every day for strength, comfort, and peace. We love your family and look forward to other memory making days ahead. Please call if we can help in any way. Love, Erin Zahner
Dear Rodger, Jonathan and Alex
I first met your wife and Mom in 1989 when Kathleen hired me at the City of Creve Coeur. It was obvious to me shortly after I began working with her that she was a very kind, caring person. In 1991 I became her secretary and we worked together until last July when Kathleen surrendered to her medical condition. The respect I have for her after all those years is enormous. Kathleen and I became good friends and we truly cared about each other. She always called me "Miss Nancy" when talking to her boys. I have witnessed her marriage to Rodger and the birth of her two sons and have watched as she has become so devoted to all of you. Rodger, thank you for keeping us all in the loop these last several weeks. There are so many, many people who love Kathleen and her family and we thank you for sharing your heart. As I told you yesterday Rodger when I was looking in her personnel file to help you with finding a date, I got so carried away reading the countless letters of thanks she has received during the past 16 years from colleagues and others who she has helped or left an impression on. I can tell you that everyone who has worked with Kathleen, even in a small way, had the highest respect for her. I learned so much from her - not only professionally, but about life and love. I miss her wisdom, her friendship, her insightfulness, her wit, our arguments and her hugs. She was a stong, devoted Christian woman and I can't wait to see her again. I know how much you will miss her. May God bless you and keep you in his arms as you work through this sorrow. I love you, too. "Miss Nancy"
They that love beyond the world
Cannot be separated by it.
Death is but crossing the world,
As friends do the seas;
They live in one another still.
Kathleen is in a better place,
watching over all.
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