~Katie Helen~ #KtHelenForever

From infancy Katie was a bright, beautiful, positive, radiant soul whose attributes were larger than life. As Katie went thru life’s journey she approached every situation with confidence, a full heart, compassion and all with a sense of celebration. She was independent, intelligent, sassy (always raising one side of her lip as she laughed about her sassiness), loved makeup and big puffy dresses from a very young age. No matter what Katie put her mind to, she accomplished it. Regardless of how trying the situation could be, she always displayed emotional intelligence, strength, compassion, and loyalty. She has a soft spot in her heart for those who had extra struggles in their life, often taking them under her wing until she felt they could fly again. She has never met a stranger. She helps without hesitation and in an instant. Any room lights up when she walks in with her enchanting brown eyes, and embracing smile. Her laugh is endearing, empowering and healing. Simply her presence was always one of healing, nurturing, and celebration. These attributes continued on until the day of her passing, Sept 7, 2021.

Katie as a child and woman was one of rising above any challenge that life put in front of her. She was raised by a single mom, along with her younger brother, all survivors of poverty and violence. Encountering all expected things from such through out her life.

As a child Katie would display her loyalty to family by always encouraging her mom to look beyond and move forward. Katie and her family moved from Denver to Portland when she was 9 years old, Katie never ever looked back. Katie was blessed with a second brother that she watched over as carefully as she did her first. Always aware of who was holding them and innately attentive to her both brother’s needs from the time they were both born through their young adulthood until the day she passed. Although, I sense she will continue her nurturing from her current place of existence until she meets them again.

She used her humbled and volatile childhood to push herself to soar to success and grow a hilarious sense of humor. She had dreams of traveling the world, experiencing all the cultures and finer things. She received her Associates in Business degree 2 days before she received her high school diploma. She continued from there to attended Washington State University. She was the first in our family to attend a four-year University in a traditional way. At the age of 18 she entered WSU as a junior with an accounting major. She soon recognized dorm life was not for her and begged her mom to help her get her own apartment. Quickly after starting WSU, she secured an internship with a federal agency, where she has remained until her passing. Climbing the ladder of professional excellence as a federal employee was something she relished in. She soon welcomed the birth of her first child. All while finishing her Bachelors, and working full time. She flourished into a leader in her professional life as well as any other arena she stepped foot into. And as always, celebrating each encounter as if it were a brand-new event to celebrate.

Katie’s mother’s favorite thing was to watch Katie be a mommy. All the naturing, loyalty, positivity and enchantment Katie possessed as a child, she brought to motherhood. Katie and her husband where again blessed with their second child. She did not let her career goals be deterred by her additional mommy duties. She continued with her strong work ethic becoming the bread winner for the family. With her fierce work ethic, she often had managers and vice presidents seeking her out and competing for her to work on their special details and open positions. Regardless of her professional success, Katies focus remained with her family she cherished. She is a cheer leader for those who come in contact with her, but she will always remain the captain cheerleader for her family.

Katie is survived by her two children 12 and 6 years old, husband, mother, 2 brothers, grandfather, grandmothers, aunt, nieces, nephew and her best friend from childhood who is a sister. 

Within hours of Katie’s passing her mother sent this public message:

 

 

Be still with yourself...

Do you feel Lighter?

Do you feel Lifted?

Do you feel free as a glorious eagle SOARING the skies?

Do you feel like Smiling?

Laughing?

Celebrating?

Dancing?

You Don’t???

Go sit with yourself...

Be Still...

Connect with KATIE...

 

...and you will feel all those things!

Maybe even more glorious things!!!

Be open to them, EMBRACE them all!

The funds raised here will be used for her Celebration of Life and to support the children’s day to day normalcy with include gymnastics, lacrosse, musical and art activities currently involved in, and any future endeavors the children show interest in that will provide opportunity to continue to flourish in the path their mother Katie Helen had started them on.