Obituary of Katharine A. Brzezinski-Stein

Katharine was born in Chicago, IL on May 30, 1947 and was raised on Lily Lake in Lakemoor, McHenry, IL. She attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale immediately after high school and graduated with an undergrad degree in psychology. She continued her education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she completed her masters and doctorate degrees in psychology. She practiced psychology in Carbondale and St. Louis, MO. She continued her practice at Advanced Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychological Services in Tacoma, WA until she passed. Kath’s life was full of adventure and learning. She traveled the world and visited Spain, England, Ireland, Scotland, Brazil, Costa Rica and Mexico. She read Spanish fluently and spoke the language very well. She was also a musician. She played violin and guitar some but mostly she was an exceptional vocalist with a wide range both in capability and in soul. She particularly loved singing with her friends, could really “belt it out” no matter where she was singing; with friends, in the shower or car or around the house. She sang from her heart, her soul and her gut and touched everyone within earshot of her talent. Kathy also loved her dogs Rico, Titus and the dogs who went before her. She loved her sister Mary’s dog, Sage, as well. Her dogs were her constant companions and a source of great joy. Kath lost her battle with cancer on January 21, 2009. She passed in her home surrounded by her friends, family and dogs. A private memorial service was held shortly after she passed. A public memorial is not planned. Katharine is preceded in death by her father, Casimir F. Brzezinski and is survived by her mother Anna M. Brzezinski, 94. She’s also survived by her older sister Rosanne Spears, a nephew Jack Spears, his spouse Kelly and their 2 daughters Katy Sue and Bethany. Also surviving is her niece Jill Quillin and her spouse Jim, all of Lakemoor, McHenry, IL. Her younger sister Mary Brzezinski, lives in Tacoma and her niece, Emily Brzezinski Merker lives in Portland, OR. Katharine is also survived by many close friends, acquaintances, neighbors and patients. She will forever be in their hearts and loved by her. She supported many charities. They are listed below in no particular order. Please make a contribution to one of them in her name if you are able. No donation is too small. National Wildlife Federation, nwf.org Washington Community Action Network, washingtoncan.org The Nature Conservancy, nature.org ASPCA, aspca.org The Humane Society of the United States, hsus.org Habitat for Humanity, habitat.org Northwest Harvest, northwestharvest.org American Cancer Society, cancer.org American Red Cross, redcross.org Mercy Corps, mercycorps.org The Food Connection (Tacoma), foodconnection.org American Heart Association, americanheart.org Pasado’s Safe Haven, pasadosafehaven.org Doctor’s Without Borders, doctorswithoutborders.org Smile Train, SmileTrain.org Southern Poverty Law Center, splcenter.org Many thanks to all who have supported Kathy in her life during her happy times and especially during her illness.