Submitted by: Dan Rich
Sept. 13, 1958 - April 28, 2008
South Bend Tribune 4/29/2008
SOUTH BEND - On Monday, April 28, 2008, Catherine
R "Kate" Coleman, 49, completed her life's journey
and ended her 18-year battle with multiple sclerosis, a fight she
could not win but that she fought courageously, never giving in,
until her nemesis attacked by night while she slept and took from
her everything but her fighting spirit. Kate's greater life story
is one of optimism and hope. Kate was born to Edward R. and
Noreen J. Kasper on September 13, 1958, in South Bend,
with whom no doubt she is now reunited at a kitchen table in a
family neighborhood in heaven. Kate was the youngest of seven
children and her mother's last hope for a red-headed lass to
carry on her fiery-haired Irish legacy. Even at birth, Kate did
not disappoint. Kate grew up in a Kasper home featuring one
bathroom and five women fighting for position every morning as
the day began, instilling in Kate a competitive spirit and
readiness to take on the day that prepared her to face challenges
she would overcome later in life. The Kasper household also
instilled in Kate a love of card playing, family gatherings and
Friday evening "popcorn nights," simple pleasures, the
kind that Kate continued to enjoy most throughout her life. Kate
attended St. Anthony's Grade School and graduated from John Adams
High School where she was an honor student, a volleyball player
and a cheerleader. A determined Kate made her way through college
one or two classes each semester while working full-time and
graduated from Indiana University South Bend in 1993. Kate began
her 25-year professional career as a unit secretary in the ER at
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. She moved to human
resources where she eventually rose to HR Director, first at the
Visiting Nurse Association and then Saint Joseph Regional Medical
Center and also served as compensation and benefits director for
Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center, Inc. Kate's down-to-earth
personality, enthusiasm and warmth earned her the admiration and
affection of all those she worked with.
On June 10, 1989, Kate married Sean J.
Coleman. She was the love of his life. On June 1, 1992, she gave
birth to her daughter, Margaret E. "Maggie" Coleman,
the joy of her life. Kate loved to decorate for every holiday of
the year and was "the queen of Halloween," throwing
annual Halloween parties for neighborhood kids and dressing up in
her witch's costume, complete with make-up and crooked nose, to
pass out candy. Sean and Maggie survive to honor Kate's memory.
Kate is also survived by Dan (Pat) Kasper, Michael Kasper, Patty
(Bob) Nyikos, Sharon (Mike) Bergren, Marian (Bob) Miller,
Edward Kasper, and a dear sister-in-law, Betsy Coleman. Kate also
leaves behind a cheering section of nieces, nephews and extended
family members. Kate was a professional in Human Resources (PHR),
a member of the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the
YWCA HR Committee, and the Indiana State Chapter of the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society HR Committee. She was a former
Athletic Board member, HASA officer and volleyball coach at
Corpus Christi Grade School. Kate was a principal organizer of
the annual Michiana Women Against Multiple Sclerosis (WAMS)
luncheon. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Kate's
memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Indiana State
Chapter, 7301 Georgetown Road, Suite #112, Indianapolis, IN
46268.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday,
April 30th, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home on Bendix Drive in
South Bend from 2 to 9 PM, with a Rosary at 4 PM, and a time for
sharing Kate stories at 8 PM. Funeral services will take place on
Thursday, May 1st, at 10:30 AM in Corpus Christi Church. Kate
fought to live her life to the fullest and ended each day looking
forward to the promise of the next. She was an inspiration to
those of us who are blessed to have known and loved her.