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July 2, 2009
I can't believe you would have turned 30 yrs old yesterday.
I wonder if you would have been married? Would Dad and
I have been grandparents? The years go by and it doesn't
get any easier.
I love you and miss you.
Mom
Feb 9, 2009
Ellen, Frank, Michael, Nannie
and Pop....just thinking about all of you today and
remembering
Katie....I'm
so honored to be a part of the Foundation and carrying
on for Katie in all that she loved.
Much love, Cricket
Feb 6, 2009
This time of the year is
so very sad In February 2002 a light went out in our
family
that
will never return. We were so lucky, we had a
great extended family that enjoyed the holidays together
and
each of our nieces
and nephews were special in their own way Kate was always
busy in the kitchen when dinners were at the Svitek house
and she grew up to be an extraordinary young woman. She
had so much to offer and our family will never
be the same We miss you Katie
Aunt Joan and Uncle Hank
July 1, 2008
Dearest Kate:
We think and talk about you every day, but a lot more
today because it is your Birthday.
We love you and miss you!!!!!!!!
Nan & Pop
BOB CLAIR
June 6.2008
Just thinking a lot about Kate these days. The garden
at Beth-Or is so beautiful and peaceful . She is never
far from our thoughts and always in our hearts
Love from Aunt Joan and Uncle Hank
February 9, 2008
Just thinking of your family this morning.
Mollie B. lyles
January 18, 2008
Kate and I were in the same grade at GA, but ran in
different circles, so it wasn’t until the summer
between our freshman and sophomore years in college
that we got to know each other, as we were co-counselors
of the “K-troop” (10 year old girls) at
the GA summer camp. Kate and I, having spent so much
time passing each other in the halls, were both surprised,
I think, at how much we had in common and what a great
time we had working with each other and the kids. We
both were at college in Vermont, both frequented the
same spots in Burlington, both focused on environmental
majors. We played off each other well with the kids
and made quite a team, making them friendship necklaces
that were all the style that year (I still have the
one Kate made for me) in our down time.
We had one camper who didn’t quite fit in with
the rest of the kids in our troop. She was smaller,
not very good at sports, one of the very few African-American
campers, and (most distressing to her) the only kid
in our troop who couldn’t swim. She was terrified
to even put her head under the water. Kate decided she
was going to help her get past that fear, and began
bringing her bathing suit and jumping in with the kids
at pool time – probably the only counselor to
do so (pool time was our one chance to be away from
the kids). She was consistent, going in every day and
working with the camper.
The final day of camp, we invited this girl’s
grandfather to come to the pool (he worked at the school).
With everyone standing by and cheering (especially Kate),
our camper no only swam, but jumped off the diving board.
I’ve never seen a smile on a little girl’s
face since that was quite as bright. It was like a scene
out of a movie that is too precious to be true, and
I’ve never forgotten it. I’m sure that little
girl never did either. Kate’s dedication to her
was simply inspiring.
Katie Bender Commons
January 13, 2008
Kate,
As I get older, I often wonder how our relationship
would have changed...would we be talking about who we
would be marrying, kids, future plans...it never mattered
much, because i always knew i would have had you by
my side...i need you by my side now...i need you to
just like i needed you before...i love you....
Kathy E.
December 24, 2007
Thinking of you, Frank and Michael over the holiday
season.
Lots of Love,
Jenn
Hello Ellen & Frank,
I hope you are both doing well and had a nice Thanksgiving,
surrounded by Friends and Family.
I just read this and thought about Kate and how her
spirit lives on...
"Perhaps they are not stars,
But rather, Openings in Heaven...
Where the love of our lost ones
Shines down upon us,
To let us know they are safe"
Lots of Love,
Jenn
Ellen Svitek
Thank you to whoever sent the anonymous western union
money order to Kate's Foundation. Your support is greatly
appreciated.
Frank and Ellen Svitek
Hi,
My name is Liz Widmaier. I went to GA with Kate. I was
a little older than her, but we played softball together,
and maybe soccer? Well anyway, I'm so sorry for your
loss. Kate was real fun as i remember it. I still have
pictures of us on the ball field. it's kind of ironic
b/c i was living in Northern California doing all the
same kinds of outdoor rec and education that she was
doing. The story was real big out there, and when they
released her name and picture it blew me away. i have
been following the news about her and checking the website
periodically.
I actually graduated with my Masters of Environmental
Education in May of 05. It's a shame that I'll never
get to share our common interests with Kate (I didn't
know she was into outdoor rec until I read about her
living in Oregon). Nonetheless, I am proud of who she
had become, and agree fully with her quote on the website.
I will promote the Foundation whenever the issue arises.
Take care, and know that Kate's smile had touched yet
another's life in me.
Sincerely,
Liz Widmaier
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