Cathy Parker McCaskill Kearney

"It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye."This quote from a favorite book was found, on a hand-written card, on top of Cathy's dresser. She found out in September that she had an extremely aggressive cancer and left us less than a month later. We are heartbroken. Cathy passed away peacefully, on a clear Colorado morning in October, in a hospital room overlooking the majestic slopes of Pikes Peak. She was surrounded by the people she loved the most. Her last spoken words were "I love you." She was an incredibly loving mother and grandmother, a daughter, a sister, a teacher, a dreamer and an adventurer. She loved to laugh. She taught us to live in the moment. To enjoy life as it is, for all it's ups and downs. She accomplished things with heart. She was always in search of her next adventure. She took time to enjoy the beauty in this world and lived life to its fullest. She gave the best hugs. She showed up to soccer games and cheered her hardest. She fought for us even when we wanted to give up on ourselves. She was amazing, incredible and irreplaceable. Even in death she showed us her undeniable faith, strength and unconditional love.We will never forget her contagious smile and her ability to speak her mind. Cathy was a selfless servant and dedicated her life to serving the blind and the deaf as part of the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. She obtained her M.Ed in Special Education through Boston College, graduating in August 1977. For two years she taught Orientation and Mobility to adventitiously blinded adults at the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Richmond. In June of 1979, Cathy accepted a position with the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB) and taught children and young adults for thirty-one years.During her years at CSDB she coached the Junior High Girls basketball team for seven years, served on the Accountability committee, was a member of the Leadership committee for two years, worked with the summer enrichment program for six years, conducted numerous parent and community in-service trainings, mentored both new staff and student teachers, and has been a sponsor multiple times for both the junior and senior classes. Cathy's career at CSDB allowed her the joy of challenging people to be as independent as possible.Cathy is survived by her two children, Elizabeth and Harrison; her grandchildren, Leonardo, Orlando, and Aurelia; her two sisters, Linda and Louise; her brother, Richard; her nieces and nephews; and countless close friends. Our love for her will never grow cold. Our lives will never be the same without her here, but her caring heart will shine through us always and forever.