Charlene J Kavanagh

"It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Charlene "Kate" Joy Kavanagh at the age of 77. Charlene was born December 22, 1946, the eldest daughter of Sylvia Albrecht and Frank Kress in Highland, Indiana, and grew up with her loving three sisters, Lynne, Beverly, and Beth. Although she had several nicknames while growling up ("Chuck" her least favorite), "Kate" eventually stuck. She was also known as "Aunt Thaween" by her oldest nieces. Kate attended Loyola University and became a pediatric Nurse.

Kate joined the Navy in 1968 and served 3 plus years at Naval Station Great Lakes with memories of being one of the last to see the enlisted men off to their deployments. On her 24th birthday, Kate gave birth to her son, Matt. In 1972, Kate moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she received her PhD in Psychology in 1981 with a groundbreaking thesis that helped to usher in a new age of treatment for severely burned children, where she demonstrated that children who were allowed to change their bandages rather than receive the standard of care (Nurses changing the bandages), experienced greatly improved mental health outcomes, reduced pain and produced adaptive behaviors,

Dr. Kavanagh' research contributed to an evolutionary change in burn treatment that exists today.

Dr. Kate went on to become an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine (Pediatrics) and School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She opened several psychotherapy clinics in Madison, Wisconsin, and surrounding communities, helping countless patients achieve mental well-being. In 1990, Kate co-wrote a textbook, "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing" and then in 2007 wrote and self-published, "Going Home: The Lost Story of Chief the Fire Dog", a story of a destitute dog's quest for home, family, and a sense of self. Kate was inspired to write this story to address the emotional needs of children which she felt were often forgotten in times of grief and suffering.

In 2006, Kate became a grandmother (a term she despised) to Matt and his wife Sally's son, Cade. Cade and Kate had many adventures together. Cade loved being with her and always felt supported with her "on his side". Although there were grand plans for their days together, Cade and Kate sometimes found themselves watching movies instead and enjoying their favorite treat, ice cream. Kate was ecstatic when Cade decided to forgo college, choosing instead to pursue his dream of playing professional hockey. Kate was Cade's "superfan" and organized watch parties for his first game in net for his USPHL hockey team in December. Although she couldn't see his first game, she will always be there with him, rooting for his next save.

Family was always the highest priority in Kate's life. Charlene enjoyed her summer visits to Ogunquit Maine to visit her three sisters along with her many nieces and nephews. In 1996, Kate married the love of her life, Gib Halverson. She and Gib, a firefighter and Vietnam War Veteran, built a life together in Madison then Show Low, Arizona. In 2020 they settled in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Kate started a mental health consulting service called "Living in the Light" offering transpersonal psychotherapy and life coaching, and earned a Bioenergetic Health Practitioner certification. Throughout her life, Kate was

always researching and learning. She defined herself as a "spirit woman", belonging to no religion only to universal love. Kate was not only knowledgeable but proficient in many kinds of health modalities, tirelessly promoting wellness and healing for herself and her family. With the support of Gib, Kate overcame eye cancer and painful migraines.

She was in the best health of her life when she was suddenly taken from us, joining those who preceded her in death including her favorite patient, Kristen who died at age nine in 1990. Kristen and Kate had a special relationship with Kate often remarking that Kristen was an angel who was with her often, keeping her safe and from harm's way. In Kate's textbook, she wrote a dedication, " ...and to my patient Kristen who, in the five short years I knew her, taught me what is most important: how to live and how to die." Kate will be sorely missed by all her family and friends, but we take some comfort in knowing she left us at the pinnacle of her life. No services by request.

The family requests that donations be made to Shriners Children's in her memory,

Charlene "Kate" Kavanagh." https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/give/129619/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=fundrasie-for-love-boston&

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