OBITUARY
Katherine Olin Shrum
February 15, 1983 – January 11, 2019
IN THE CARE OF
Teague Funeral Service
“Being surrounded on wedding weekend by people from all over the country who love
Robbie and me has just reinforced my belief that despite cancer, I've got to be one of
the luckiest people in the world.” Equally fortunate are those with whom Kate shared her
love and life: Robbie Quesada, husband; parents Ellen and John; siblings, Mo (Jeremy),
Joe (Kim), and Jake; family-in-love, Maria, Rick, Olga, and Derick Quesada; nieces and
nephews, Tucker, Calais, Avery, Olin, and Bodie; aunt and uncles, Sharon (Ken), Al,
Joe (Tony), and Tim; extended family; “wonderful communities of friends”
(Charlottesville, Portland, Eugene, Miami, Flagstaff, Pittsburgh, and Boston); and Kate’s
“brilliant students” in Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, Boston, Portland, and Eugene.
Kate was born in Charlottesville on February 15, 1983. She graduated from
Charlottesville High School (returning there to teach in 2016), the University of Virginia
(Women’s Studies and English), and the University of Oregon (Master of Education with
certification to teach English Language Learners). A passionate feminist and social
justice activist, Kate used her intelligence, creativity, wit, and energy in those pursuits
and in guiding students to be confident in their abilities and proud of their individuality.
Kate had a natural proclivity for the arts. She played piano, violin, guitar, and banjo, and
had a beautiful voice, used extensively when singing karaoke, and once produced an
album of Christmas songs with her friend Phoebe. It was also not uncommon to find
Kate painting, knitting, screen-printing, drawing, or constructing and elaborately
decorating gingerbread houses. Recently Kate began learning to be a potter. Working at
the wheel and pondering finishing touches for the pots brought her joy.
A lover of culture and nature, Kate traveled extensively in Europe and North America,
and visited Morocco. She enjoyed gardening, camping, hiking, and people-watching,
and especially loved dragging her nieces and nephews on nature walks and helping
them create legendary sandcastles during the annual family beach week.
Kate’s other intense interests included puzzles, baking, Minecraft, Stardew Valley, open
water swims, foot races, and the Barracks Road Christmas Parade, during which she
particularly enjoyed the wily dog mascot on a tiny bike.
Though neuro-endocrine carcinoma took Kate’s life January 11, 2019, she is with us.
Her smile warms our hearts; her passions inspire us to action. To honor Kate, help
those in need and be with those you cherish. Notes to her family can be sent to 1420
Foxbrook Lane, Charlottesville, VA, 22901.
A service sharing love and raising gratitude for Kate’s presence in our lives and hearts
will begin at 2:00 on Sunday, January 20th, in the sanctuary of Charlottesville’s First
United Methodist Church.
See more
Show your support
Past Services
Sunday,
January 20, 2019
Thank You
We are reviewing your submission. It may take up to 1 hour for your comment to appear on the website
Katherine Olin Shrum
Taking Care Of Yourself
Helping yourself at your time of loss
Taking care of others
Helping Others Endure Their Loss