Katie was diagnosed with a Oligodendroglioma brain tumor in 2006 when she was 20 years old and a sophomore at Shippensburg University. She had a craniotomy in January 2006 which was the beginning of her 13 year battle. Over those years she went through numerous surgeries, rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. She never complained ... well maybe a "hurtie smurtie" (upset stomach) once in awhile. She was always concerned about how everyone else was handling her prognosis. She was such a fighter and taught us many life lessons. 

I feel like this poem by David Harkins sums up her outlook on life.

She is Gone​

You can shed tears that she is gone, Or you can smile because she lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back, Or you can open you eyes and see all that she has left.

Your heart can be empty because you can't see her, Or you can be full of the love that you have shared.

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.

You can remember her and only that she is gone, Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back, Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.

Katie touched many lives and is missed on a daily basis. We know she is looking down on us and guiding our every move as if she was by our side in "Classic Kakkers" style.