Kathryn P. Gaus

Kathryn P. Gaus (Kathy) passed away peacefully, after complications from several strokes, on December 3rd, 2013, at Manor Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Wilton Manors, FL. Kathy was born in Greensboro, NC on March 18, 1926, the first of two children of Clark and Kathryn McNairy. Kathy and her sister Beverly were devoted best friends throughout their lives, although Beverly predeceased Kathy.

Throughout her life Kathy had a passion for life, learning and new experiences. As a graduate of Greensboro College, she was a double major in Science and Mathematics, at a time when the majority of her classmates were men. During her career she taught Science in North Carolina, and then Mathematics in Georgia and Florida. When Kathy moved to Fort Lauderdale in 1959 she taught Mathematics, first at South Broward High School and then Fort Lauderdale High School. Later, Kathy had the honor of becoming the first woman Mathematics supervisor in Broward County. During this period she was devoted to encouraging children to enjoy Math. She reached out to them by unlocking their best learning style, whether it was auditory, sensory, kinesthetic, or any other method. Along with her co-author, Anne French, she wrote the first Elementary Volunteer Handbook for Language, Reading and Mathematics skills in Broward County. While she was actively involved with the establishment of Math Labs in the schools; Kathy also earned her Master's degree in Supervision at Florida Atlantic University.

Once she retired from Broward County Schools, Kathy became a writer, editor and consultant for the Harcourt Brace Jovanovich textbook corporation. In addition to writing and editing, Kathy's consulting skills took her to far flung areas of the world, including Guam, Palau, Japan, and South America. Wherever she traveled, her message was to discern a child's best way of learning and then encourage them to grow, explore, and enjoy expanding their minds. At the end of her career, Kathy had taught children from Kindergarten through College. She was a proud member of the Delta Kappa Gamma educational society, but she was the most proud of locating children at their learning level, and then lifting them up to reach their full potential.

Throughout her life, Kathy loved meeting people. When she entered a room, by the time she left, no one was a stranger. She also loved to travel. In addition to her work travels, she included visits to Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, the Galapagos, England, Scotland, Wales, the Netherlands, and Canada. She passed through the Panama Canal, and was once on the sidelines at the Rose Bowl Parade. With her beloved second husband Eugene (Gene), she visited Ireland and Alaska. Music was also a great love for Kathy. She belonged to choirs, including her church choir at All Saints Episcopal In Fort Lauderdale for many years. During her life she also supported Florida Grand Opera, Seraphic Fire, and Nova Singers, with whom she traveled to Austria and Germany. Every day was to be lived to the fullest.

Kathy is survived by her husband Eugene (Gene) Gaus, her daughter Kathryn (Ryn) Pierce Ruhoff, son in law Fred Ruhoff, and Eugene (Gene)'s children Aimee, Julie, Joel, Peter, and daughter in law Karen by his predeceased son Jay, and their spouses and families. She is also survived by her sister Beverly's children Elizabeth, Martha, Howard, Mary Kathryn and their families. Kathy was preceded in death by her first husband, David L. Pierce and her sister, Beverly Buie.

Services will be held on Saturday, December 7th, 2013 at All Saints Episcopal Church, located at 333 Tarpon Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33301. There will be a family visitation at 11:00 AM, with a service at 11:30 AM, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers please make contributions in her name to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718, or to All Saints Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale.