Kathleen Ivy

Kathleen Ann Ivy passed away on October 17, 2021 after a ~3 year battle with metastatic melanoma. Born on Sept 8, 1955 in Alhambra, CA to parents David Higens and Mary Wise/Higens/Weiss. They moved to Colorado when she was 5, but Kathleen always spoke very fondly of her years in California. By the time Kathleen was 9, her brother Kenneth was born, and their parents had divorced. Mary’s second husband Charles Weiss eventually adopted both children and they lived in Colorado Springs, running a glass shop. Their neighbor Fran Burke met Kathleen as a young teenager, and became a mentor and lifelong family of choice. Kathleen would openly say Fran saved her life more than once with deep conversations, long walks, emotional support, and a good cup of tea. Kathleen and Kenneth also had/have two younger ½ brothers (Jim and Micheal), from their father David’s second marriage. Kathleen went on to college at UNC in Greeley, where she met and married Gerald Gates (1975), and had Holly and Laura. Despite their best efforts, that marriage ended in ‘82. Kathleen went on to complete her BA and MA in English, and her teaching degree through Project Promise at CSU in Fort Collins, while continuing to work fulltime. During these years Kathleen was married to Saleh Soliman (‘89). Followed by Billy Althoff (‘98). With each relationship Kathleen did her best to be a good partner to her husband, and a loving mother for Holly and Laura. With her children and grandchildren she would read stories, sing songs, dance around the kitchen, take trips to museums, art shows, parks, eat cookie dough, and remind us to enjoy the innocent playfulness of childhood no matter how old we are. One of the favorite holidays for Kathleen with Holly and Laura was Halloween. Hours were spent on dressing up and staying out late trick or treating. Kathleen did her very best to always put her children’s wellbeing first. Kathleen was very proud that both her daughters pursued higher education, motherhood, and shared her values of kindness, resilience, self-reflection, family, helping others, humor, and continued intellectual and spiritual growth… Over the years Kathleen accepted many different jobs to try to make ends meet, and always worked to learn from her experiences and improve herself. Throughout her schooling Kathleen struggled with learning disabilities including ADD, dyslexia, visual processing disorder, and increasing hearing loss. She used the difficult experiences of her life to inspire compassion and change for the better. She practiced pleasant, persistence, honest reflection, a strong Christian faith, and the academic curiosity to always consider new information. She would fiercely defend other’s rights, while she privately struggled to defend her own, personally and professionally. Kathleen worked at CSU for nearly 30 years for students with disabilities with tenacity and grace. In the moments we could tear her away from that work, she also enjoyed family and friends, reading extensively, doll collecting, her many pets, traveling, camping (especially in these last few years with John in their new camper as they shared a love of nature and a wonderful sense of humor), painting, gardening, writing, dancing (even while seated if necessary)… She felt her true calling was helping others, and she exhausted herself in service of that cause. Kathleen was preceded in her passing by her parents, and is survived by her devoted spouse John Moore (2016), children Holly Gates and Laura Benson, Brian and JR Moore, brother Kenneth Weiss and his family in Alaska, grandchildren, and numerous extended family and friends. She will be missed by her friends, family, students, and colleagues. Kathleen donated her body to further cancer research. At Kathleen’s request, a memorial tree planting ceremony is scheduled on the CSU campus for June 10, 2022, and will be a celebration of Kathleen’s life with an open invitation to all who wish to join us. The family will also have a smaller private ceremony in Colorado Springs planting additional trees. Best wishes and blessings, from our family to yours. **MEMORIAL TREE PLANTING CEREMONY UPDATE** We invite family, friends, students, and colleagues to gather with us as we celebrate the life and love of Kathleen Ann Ivy. Memorial: Tree Planting Ceremony, Friday, June 10th, 2022 at 11:00 am. CSU Campus, on The Oval, outside the SE corner of the Tilt building (formerly the Music building.) - The memorial bench will be added later in the summer due to supply chain issues beyond our control. Logistics: Please dress comfortably, and bring a folding chair if you can not comfortably stand for ~30 min., or sit on the grass. (Much like a summer concert) Hats, sunscreen, tissues, and reusable water bottles are encouraged. Bathrooms and water fountains will be available in the Tilt building. Parking near campus is regulated, though they will be in the summer session - which means lighter traffic. Please follow all parking guidelines as posted. We do not have a designated parking area for this event. https://pts.colostate.edu/contact_us/maps-3/ Thank you to all who have donated to the Kathleen Ivy Trust Memorial Tree Fund in lieu of flowers to honor Kathleen’s memory and final wishes. (https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-kathleen-ivy-memorial-trees-fund) Any amount received exceeding the initial goal will go to planting additional trees... to renew the black forest near Colorado Springs after the 2013 fire, as promised. If you prefer an alternative, Kathleen also cherished the many ways animals improve our lives and often embody the best in us with loyalty and love. She regularly donated to the ASPCA, and making a donation in her honor would also be a lovely way to celebrate her memory. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions: Holly 970-402-1212, holly.a.gates@gmail.com If you wish to send cards rather than posting on the memorial sites: (https://www.goesfuneralcare.com/obituaries/Kathleen-Ivy/#!/TributeWall), (https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-kathleen-ivy-memorial-trees-fund), or sending email, you can send those to: John Moore and Family 1014 Berwick Ct. Fort Collins, CO 80524