KATHY ROBIN LITMAN

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KATHY ROBIN LITMAN It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and tragic passing of Kathy Litman, age 41, our beloved daughter, sister, aunt and best friend on October 22, 2000. Kathy moved with her family at an early age to Israel and lived on Kibbutz Hatzerim for four years. Upon returning to Winnipeg, Kathy graduated from Joseph Wolinsky Collegiate. Shortly after graduation Kathy joined the Canadian Armed Forces - 735 Communication Regiment where she became a Master Corporal of Communications. After the Canadian Armed Forces, Kathy followed in her idols footsteps - her grandmother Baba Malka, to achieve her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. Kathy graduated from the Misericordia Hospital as a Registered Nurse in 1980, received her Intensive Care Diploma in 1982 and then graduated from Lethbridge University in 1986 with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing. Possessing the incredible, selfless ability to give and care for others, Kathy dedicated 20 years of her life to nursing; of which 15 of those years were devoted to the Intensive Care Medicine Unit of the St. Boniface Hospital, where Kathy loved every minute of every hour that she ever worked there (which her many certificates from the Unit as the "person who worked the most on their days off" attest to). Kathy was also a highly regarded union representative for Local 5 of the St. Boniface Nurses Union. During a period of seven years, Kathy loyally and ever so devotedly flew endless miles back and forth to Vancouver to care for our beloved and youngest brother Michael, who died of AIDS six years ago at the age of 26. A devout supporter for AIDS Awareness, Kathy travelled to AIDS Conferences nation wide, never missed an AIDS Walk/Fundraiser, or any other opportunity to lend her voice for this very important cause. Kathy even had a quilt made from all of the AIDS T-shirts that she had collected over the years. She was completely devoted to the care and support of all people living with AIDS. Two and one half years ago Kathy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She spent many months of the first year after her diagnosis in Vancouver with her dearest friend Bernice Budz struggling with the unknown of the disease and what impact this might have on her future as a nurse. In the following two years of her life, Kathy became very involved with the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Kathy made a decision to take life by its horns, to live it day by day, and to its fullest. She travelled extensively across Canada, cruised to Alaska, and swam with the beluga whales in Churchill. She had also wanted to hand-glide, but was unable to fulfil this wish. Kathy was predeceased by her brother Michael; grandparents, Pete and Gertie Litman; Malka and Chaim Kushner. Kathy is survived by her mother, Miryom Trupish; father Leslie Litman; her brother, Lorry and sister-in-law Cathy, brother James, sister Nancy; nephew, Michael Joshua; and dearest friend, Bernice Budz. Also left to mourn her passing are all her close friends and colleagues at the St. Boniface Hospital. Their support of Kathy through her brothers illness, and again when she was diagnosed with MS are equalled by none. Kathy was the most incredible model for all human beings. She was a profoundly kind, gentle and an overwhelmingly generous person whose natural disposition was to nurture, encourage and give constant hope to others. Even through her toughest times Kathys sense of humour surpassed all. She was always there for family and friends in times of need and for this and so much more we are eternally grateful. Kathys express wish was to be with her brother Michael in Vancouver who will now have his big sister with him. We love you and miss you. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the MS Society of Manitoba, 401-141 Bannatyne Ave., Winnipeg R3B 0R3 or Kalishiva, 705 Broadway, Winnipeg, R3G 0X2 or to a charity of your choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 28, 2000