Support A Neighbor in Need and in Loss

Hi all,

 

This week our neighbor has suffered a terrible loss and if you live in San Antonio, you likely saw it on your local news station.

 

In the early morning hours on tuesday, February 8th, 2022, a house on the Mider block near Blanco road caught fire around 4:45 am. You will see the news say “Fatal House Fire Killed woman of 67”. For all of us that live in our McCarty/Mider block, this woman, was Kathy.

 

Kathy and Steve have lived on this block for some time. Kathy lived here since her childhood, in the home that once belonged to her mother. You would regularly see Steve and Kathy outside decorating the lawn with lights, flowers, or just keeping the lawn manicured and welcoming. You could also see the fun LED lights in their yard from the street that always brightens up the night.

 

With a warm welcoming smile and always available for a lively chat, Steve and Kathy were an integral part of the local unofficial ‘Welcoming Committee’. Steve and Kathy didn’t only limit their welcoming to those on our block, but many in the area who stopped by to say hello, even sharing lemons with passer’s by.

 

This week though, we all suffered the tragic loss of Mrs. Kathy Babin. In which I imagine no one suffering more deeply, than Mr. Steve Garden.

 

Firefighters and Fire rescue were on the scene within minutes of the call being made, but by that time it was too late.

 

All of us, including Steve, were in shock and standing waiting for the fire to go out, to hope that maybe Kathy would be able to come out unscathed. But as more time passed and the fire was unable to be tamed immediately, the truth became clear. Kathy was not going to make it out. Their 3 pets, and Kathy, perished in the fire.

 

The processing of loss is challenging and heartbreaking, to say the least. In speaking to another neighbor, she said something that really struck a chord. “You hear about these things all the time, and feel compassion for the loss; but when it’s someone you know, so close to home, it’s just different. And scary”.

 

Kathy was a beacon of happiness and joy, with a smile, a good joke, southern hospitality, and a charm that everyone immediately recognized, her loss is one that will be felt in this community.

 

We are looking to help Steve in whatever way we can. He has lost not only his home and way of life, but his partner and love. We ask for you support and whatever you can donate, and to please share. The process of rebuilding a home and physical items may be quick for Steve, a master craftsman and expert builder, but rebuilding this loss will take a little more time. We also ask for your sensitivity and consideration in this time to allow us all to grieve the loss within the community, but also within ourselves.

 

With the loss of family, pets, and their home we are hoping to alleviate some of the stress this has caused, and return the support they have so easily shown others throughout their life.

We are also trying to raise as much many as we can to cover funeral and memorial services for the family and for everything that was lost in the fire, including their home.

Stay safe, check in on those close to you, and please ensure to give an extra hug to your loved ones each day, as you never know what moment will be the last. Wishing you all well and thank you for your time and consideration in reading.