Kathy Mershimer

Lane Technical High (Chicago, IL) yearbook portrait, 1982

Kathleen Diane Mershimer
14 Dec 1964 - 17 Oct 1999

Clubs & Associations

Obituary

MERSHIMER
Kathleen D. Mershimer, age 34, beloved daughter of Leonard and Joy; loving partner of Leigh Brighbll; loving sister of William; dear niece of Gloria (Siemon) Yonan and Diane (John) Klarich; exceptional friend to many. Donations to Lesbian Community Center Project, 4753 N. Broadway, Ste 602, Chicago, IL 60640, 773-561-1830. Memorial service Saturday, Oct. 23, 12 to 4 p.m., at 3519 N. Janssen, Chicago, 773-472-1442.^[1]

In Loving Memory of ...
Kathleen Mershimer

Kathleen Mershimer was an avid athlete and outdoor lover. She moved to Seattle from Chicago in 1990 and resided there until April 1999. In that time, she involved herself in the Lesbian community and her community at large in quiet and profound ways. Just a few months after living in Seattle, she developed an outdoor adventure group for Lesbians called the Single Lesbian Outdoor Group or SLOG. She also played softball and basketball every season. In 1996, after returning to college for a second degree, she became a public middle school math teacher. She touched many of our lives.

In December 1997, she was diagnosed with a rare and deadly breast cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Her battle was long and she handled her disease with the humor and positive attitude that carried her through much of her life. In April, 1999, she decided to move back to Chicago to be closer to her parents and childhood friends. Sadly, on October 17, 1999, she died with her loving partner and two dear friends by her side. I believe she is off to another great adventure and is organizing games to be played and laughter to be shared, after all that is what Kathy was all about. Instead of cards and flowers, she wished that her friends would show their love for her by donating to the Seattle Lesbian Center Project, and to help other Lesbians in the community she loved so fiercely. Please send checks to: SLCP, 1122 E. Pike, P.O. Box 1333, Seattle WA 98122.

As Kathy was famous for saying “too-la-loo.”
Written by her loving partner, Leigh Brightbill.^[2]