The School of Drama is deeply saddened to share that our longtime colleague, adviser, and friend Kathy Burch passed away Friday, June 21st after a long battle with cancer.
Kathy had served as the department administrator for the School of Drama since 2006. She cared deeply about the school and its students, and often went far above the call of duty to beautify and organize our spaces and to assist students in need, including, for example, once paying a student's several hundred dollar parking fine.
She was a UW Surplus enthusiast whose scores included once getting a chair worth $900 for a fraction of the cost. We have Kathy to thank for the beautiful finish on our office conference table--she refinished it herself and then, unsatisfied with the result, stripped it and refinished it again! She spent an entire weekend at Hutch helping BA students repaint the lounge, and also painted all of the trim in the office (no painter's tape!) as well as many bookshelves and cabinets. She took her knitting everywhere, and over the years made many sweaters for the children of faculty and staff.
As we grieve Kathy's passing, we are grateful to have so many physical reminders of her devotion to the school and its people.
We will be planting a tree outside of Hutchinson Hall this fall in Kathy's memory. As Kathy's dedication to the school was surpassed only by her affection for her beloved cats (and all members of the feline family) Kathy's family suggests that gifts in her honor be sent either to the School of Drama or to Seattle Area Feline Rescue.
Our hearts are with Kathy's family and friends and all in our community who knew her. She will be dearly missed.