As is often the case with large families, life was not always easy and straightforward. There were many times of joy, but also many times of sorrow. Our sister Kathy, who is here today and is an amazingly strong soul, developed an illness shortly after birth that led to numerous hospitalizations and surgeries throughout her young life. Our mom spent many days and nights in the hospital with Kathy over the years. Any of us who are parents can sympathize with the stress and anxiety that this would cause, but our mom and dad kept their focus and resolve on Kathy, the other children, and kept living and moving forward.
Over Kathy’s entire life our mother was dedicated to advocacy and support for Kathy. Her approach to advocacy was with a determined but collaborative approach, realizing that special education teachers usually had great intentions but were often hampered by restrictive policies.
Our mother was so grateful for the care and opportunities that Kathy has received from the staff and administrators at Toward Independence and the State of Ohio through the James L. Bower Home. Several of the staff are here today. Kathy has had a chance to live an enriched life there, to work, to make friends, and to grow in her passion for her artistry. I know our mother thanks you.
In loving memory of Betty Brannigan, we feel as if it would be her desire to donate your gift of dollars to the non-profit Toward Independence, to support the James Bower Home and all they so to support our loved ones, like Kathy, rather than flowers.