In Loving Memory of Kate Finlayson

Kathryn "Kate" Finlayson passed away on November 27, 2010, following a long battle with complications of hydrocephalus. She was 26 years old.

Kate was born severely prematurely in Boston, Massachusetts, and suffered a major stroke with multiple other complications from which she was not expected to survive. She overcame her early illnesses, however, to enjoy a lively and happy childhood with her brothers Peter and Sam, whom she adored with all her heart. Kate's early years in Bethesda, Maryland were filled with enthusiasm, adventure, writing, and a tremendous love of literature and the Scriptures. Kate developed dear and lasting friendships with classmates and teachers at the Norwood School, as well as fellow members of the Little Falls Swim Team where she spent joyful summers playing, training, and competing. Although she at first took up swimming to strengthen muscles that had been weakened by her neonatal stroke, with time, wonderful coaching, hard work and determination she developed into a surprisingly strong competitor. Some of the records she set still stand 18 years later. Kate also loved family time spent visiting her grandparents' summer cottage on Lake Owassa in New Jersey, where she learned to fish and water ski, and enjoyed canoeing, catching turtles, collecting leaves and flowers, chasing lightning bugs, thunderstorms, and evenings on the still, calm waters with her mother.

After moving to Tokyo with her family, Kate attended upper elementary and middle school with her brothers at the American School in Japan. She enjoyed studying Japanese, learning to play the Koto, performing in a memorable play, dancing, singing, swimming, doing volunteer projects with a wonderful church group, and making new friends from all over the world. While in Japan, Kate's medical condition began to decline, requiring multiple emergency surgeries, but she bounced back with great resilience supported by devoted friends and teachers. Kate reluctantly left Japan to move with her family again, this time to Alamo, California, where she swam with the Del Amigo Swim Team and briefly attended the San Ramon Valley High School, before declining health required her to complete high school through an independent study program at the Venture School in San Ramon, supplemented with coursework at Diablo Valley College.

Despite some deficits and increasing illness, Kate worked extremely hard and graduated with an outstanding academic record, while continuing her involvement in numerous service activities including Soldier's Angels and John Muir Medical Center Volunteers. She was admitted to the Bachelor's of Nursing program at St. Mary's College and attended classes initially on a full-time basis, later shifting to part-time as her medical challenges grew.

Kate spent the final 16 months of her life in Phoenix, Arizona, receiving treatment at the Barrow Neurological Institute. Kate's rare and complex problems caused her great suffering and ultimately proved to be impossible to cure, but it was meaningful to Kate to know that her treatment helped push the frontiers of knowledge of hydrocephalus, revealed new areas of potentially fruitful research, and inspired the invention of new shunt technology that has already been used to save other patients. Kate met her deepening medical challenges with remarkable courage and grace. After a stroke took away most movement on her left side, she worked with diligence and positive spirit and eventually was delighted to be able to recover the ability to sit unaided, to walk under her own power, and even to participate again in some volunteer service -- before overwhelming complications finally made further treatment impossible. Through all her adversity, Kate continued to seek and find joy in every moment. She never lost her characteristic patience, good humor, love of life, or sense of gratitude for the many people who blessed her life. Her appreciation for her doctors, nurses and other caregivers was heartfelt and expressed often.

Kate was known for her pure heart, courage, determination, great capacity for love and sympathy, and kindness toward all. She had a remarkable gift for bringing inspiration, healing and peace to those she touched. Kate's goodness was deeply rooted in a powerful faith in God's love for her and all His children, which uplifted and inspired her throughout her life. Kate will be greatly missed by her family: parents Pam and Grant, older brother Peter and sister-in-law Nina, younger brother Sam, three grandparents, 15 aunts and uncles, 15 cousins, and her devoted dog, Wags. We envy the loved ones gone on before, especially Kate's beloved grandfather Steve Hutchcraft, Jr., who are now welcoming the strongest, sweetest, kindest, most loving angel into heaven.

To learn more about the fight against Hydrocephalus Kate inspired and supported, visit:

www.teamhydro.org. or http://www.facebook.com/TeamHydro.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Kate Finlayson
• Hydrocephalus
• Team Hydro
• TeamHYDRO

[1585dani]

Oh, Kate. I met her when we were freshmen in high school. On a Monday after General Conference, we were walking across campus at lunchtime, and she asked me what my favorite talk had been. My first thought was, "I was supposed to pay enough attention to have a favorite talk?" From that point on, I paid better attention and always thought of her. I was so sorry to hear of your family's loss. Thank you for this.

[samfin55]

@1585dani Thanks for sharing! I love hearing little stories like that--and I think everyone who knows her has dozens!

Kate was a constant example of peaceful and constant love. She made people want to be better, not because she would ever look down on us, but because she would sincerely brim with goodness. I can't imagine anyone who could be more patient, but still manage to help me constantly want to be better.

[FamasPlox]

very sorry for ur loss.

[barebackrocks]

this made me cry.

[1963dlj]

that is a lovely tribute. i was diagnosed with hydrocephalus as an adult, and was lucky enough to get great medical treatment in time (i had an endoscopic third ventriculostomy). i am so very very sorry for your loss -- i can see that she was well loved by her family, and had a lot of fun in that too short life. peace to all of you, and always remember how much you did for kate, and that she loved you and appreciated all of it.

[dirtywhiteboymma]

WOW...I ALWAYS THINK OF ADULTS AS UNLIKE CHILDREN, BUT THIS IS DIFFICULT TO WATCH, NEARLY AS MUCH AS AN INFANT SUFFERING...

[laaayteahhghee]

what a beautiful tribute. i can see how much she was loved and that she lived life to the fullest... what an amazing family, full of love.

[happinesson]

Inspiring! It doesn't matter how long we live.. what matters most is how we live the life we have.

[bdichiro]

hi my name is brenda i have a son named marshall who is now 25, he was born at 23 weeks weighing 1lb9oz....has the same problem...i can surely understand what you are going through. when marshall was 8 he had a new shunt placed in his fourth ventricle and could not get the pressure stable, it was really bad. God bless you, from marshall and i.

[ThePiglet2406]

What a beautiful girl, such a moving tribute and it certainly shows the power of love.  Bless your family x x