Katherine “Katie” Ann Tarabek
May 13, 1959 – June 2, 1973
Kathy was our first born and a beautiful child. Born on May 13, 1959, the first grandchild born on her grandpa’s 50th birthday. We had a second girl Debbie born 1962. These two girls were the light of our lives.
Kathy’s life was very normal until the summer of 1972. She was 13 at this time. She had flu-like symptoms, vomiting and was not sturdy on her feet. Took her to the doctor and he put her into the hospital, because she was getting weaker. We brought her home after two weeks, but she continued to have problems walking and her speech was getting bad. We brought in homeschooling. She was an A student and loved school. Within six weeks she was unable to continue the home schooling.
In December the doctors told us we needed to take her to UCLA medical hospital. They did several tests on her over several days and told us she had a brain tumor at the base of the skull. The doctor said they could not operate because it would kill her. Gave her 2 to 9 months to live. We took her home and cared for her for 6 months when she passed away. They told us years later that she had DIPG. Kathy lost her fight on June 2, 1973.
God Bless our dear Kathy. We love you.
