OBITUARY
Kathryn Hyer
December 4, 1953 – January 1, 2021
Kathryn Hyer December 4, 1953 – January 1, 2021 Tampa Palms, Florida
Kathryn “Kathy” Hyer, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, daughter, cousin, friend, professor, and a devout believer of God, passed away on January 1, 2021 at the age of 67 after a battle with cancer.
Kathy was born in Sands Point, New York to Teresa and Raymond Hyer, the fifth of their six children. Kathy met Jim Soley, the love of her life and her husband of 39 years, at a high school debate tournament in Long Island in 1969, a fitting meet-appropriate given their frequent Lincoln-Douglas style marital debates during their nearly 40-year union (which Kathy always won).
Kathy and Jim's love story started in New York and continued in Phoenix, Arizona; Manhasset, New York; and Tampa, Florida. Soon after they wed in 1981, they expanded their family to include children Elizabeth and James, who’ve gone on to make them proud in-laws (John and Shannon) and grandparents (Lucy and Mary). She was kind, strong, funny, driven, and loving, and her life with Jim was filled with travel, family, and friends.
Kathy was a champion for older adults and centered her research and advocacy on providing proper healthcare and crisis response measures for this vulnerable group. She was both a professor and associate director at the School of Aging Studies at University of South Florida as well as the Director of its Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging. Her work there focused on the quality of care in long-term care settings, disaster preparedness, curriculum development, and educational evaluation.
Kathy also served as president of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA), the nation’s oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. As a recognized expert in the field, Kathy served on, and provided expert advice and testimony to, numerous federal, state, and local committees. A career highlight was testifying to the US Senate Special Committee on Aging about disaster preparedness in nursing care facilities in the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. At the time of her death, she was serving on the Florida Gold Seal Panel of the Governor’s Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care.
The mentoring relationships Kathy formed with countless students over the years brought her immense pride and satisfaction. These students will carry on her academic legacy.
Kathy received her undergraduate degree in economics and sociology from Boston College, where she graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa and subsequently earned a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a doctorate in Public Administration from Arizona State University.
Kathy is predeceased by her mother, father, and sister Jane. Kathy is survived by her husband James Soley; daughter Elizabeth Frederick (Dr. John Frederick) of Charlotte, North Carolina; son James Hyer Soley (Shannon Dulaney) of Brooklyn, New York; and granddaughters Lucille and Mary Frederick of Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also survived by her brother Raymond (Kathleen) of Belleair Shores, Florida, and three of her sisters: Therese Reich (Heio) of Lutz, Florida; Mary Claire Shuman (Barry) of New Tampa, Florida; and Marlene Kern (John) of Seminole, Florida; as well as many nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Funeral services will be private. A memorial service in her honor will be held at a later date when it is safe to do so. In Lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to Suncoast Hospice Foundation or the Gerontological Society of America.
Services
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Visitation
Thursday, January 14, 2021
Memories
Kathryn Hyer
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYCathy Lieblich
January 14, 2021
I am so very saddened by the passing of Dr. Kathy Hyer. We got to know each other when I was Director of Florida Pioneer Network (FPN). Kathy served on the FPN Steering Committee from 2009-2017, working to change the culture of care and support for elders in Florida and the U.S. She made incredibly valuable contributions to the work of FPN and became a friend as well. Dr. Hyer was a researcher, teacher, advocate, and an inspiration to her colleagues and students and will be sorely missed by so many, especially her beloved family. My heartfelt condolences to all of you.
Nick Castle
January 12, 2021
Like many others, I was deeply saddened by this news. I have known Kathy most of my career. We were colleagues, co-authors, and best of all - friends. I always enjoyed our time together. I will miss you. My best wishes go to your family.
Jill Starr
January 11, 2021
It is with great sadness that I learned of the recent death of Professor Katheryn Hyer. She was a leader in the School of Aging Studies who will always be remembered. She was brilliant, kind-hearted, had a good sense of humor, and enjoyed sharing sweet moments with her husband and her grandchildren. I remind myself how honored I am to of had the opportunity to be one of her students and to work under her as an advisor for the USF Chapter of ACHCA. Her impact on the field of gerontology will continue to be felt for many years. As a lasting legacy, I can think of no better tribute for her research and her care of the elderly.
Please let me express my deepest sympathy and prayers to the family.
Thomas J Fairchild
January 11, 2021
Kathy was a woman of passion and caring who was full of energy. Her love for older adults and her desire to better prepare students and professionals to serve older adults never wavered. God will treat her well. May she rest in peace.
Pamela Stobaugh
January 11, 2021
Dear Hyer Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Kathy for years at the University of South Florida. She was kind and funny and always up for any event to celebrate someone else. She was so dedicated and worked tirelessly helping the elderly everywhere. She also mentored so many students, which she loved doing. Liz and Jay: Having children approximately the same age we sometimes talked about them. She was so proud of you both and really happy to become a grandma. She will be remembered by the many, many people whose lives she touched.
Michael, Allyson, Caiden, Keane, Donovan Hyer
January 10, 2021
Aunt Kathy is forever in our hearts with her radiant smile~warm, loving, kind, caring ~ while gracing our favorite family memories with her laughter, intelligence & sincere love for all 🤍Mike, Allyson, Caiden, Keane & Donny
Robin Bleier
January 8, 2021
Kathy Hyer was truly a unique person. She had such a thirst for life and helping others!
Kathy was a well balanced person, between her family, faith, and work. She often spoke of Jim and her children as her core.
I am grateful to Kathy for many reasons. Her commitment to long term care and focus on emergency management brought about great things. Our profession and all of those we work with and provide care for gained such an amazing advocate through Kathy. She brought us to people and places we might not have ever been to able to achieve through her writing, testimonials, and educational out reaches.
Kathy listened, asked questions, brought new ideas yet also worked to meet those of us where we were to support and improve our processes and systems to care for frail elders. Kathy did all of this with grace, and the utmost of professionalism.
Thank you Kathy, I am grateful to and for you. I will miss you and your amazing smile.
Robin
Patti Swager
January 7, 2021
I appreciated Kathy's smile and enthusiasm as well as her passion and commitment to the field of aging. She was a bright light. I always enjoyed seeing her and spending time with her during national meetings in the field of aging.
May you be comforted knowing that Kathy was loved by many and that her friends will always have fond memories of their times with her.
Bella Amankwaa Outerbridge
January 7, 2021
Dr Hyer was one of the best professors I had in graduate school back in 2007. She always had high energy and loved older adults. I always think of her in difficult multidisciplinary staffings. She will be truly missed.
Stacy Barnes
January 7, 2021
Kathy was a stalwart of the GEC's and GWEP's. She was passionate about geriatric education and her absence will be felt for many years to come. Rest in peace Kathy.
Nina Tumosa
January 7, 2021
Always cheerful,
Always helpful,
Always in our hearts.
Michelle Pleasant
January 6, 2021
For graduates of the School of Aging Studies, it will be impossible to look back on our education without thinking of Dr. Hyer. As a master's student in gerontology, I worked alongside Dr. Hyer in the USF Training Academy on Aging and, during my time as a Ph.D. student in the Aging Studies program, Dr. Hyer served as a mentor and dissertation committee member. No matter how busy she was, her door was always open, and the chair next to her desk was always welcoming. I, like many, learned my policy fundamentals from her courses. By setting high expectations, she challenged us to do more than we thought possible, and we achieved more because of her grit, encyclopedic knowledge of policy, and endless ideas for policy papers and research projects. She was the biggest cheerleader and supporter of her students, and I am lucky to have been one.
Amanda Holup
January 5, 2021
Dear Jim & Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Dr. Hyer's battle with cancer, but you and Heaven gained an angel in her transition from our world to the next. Please know that you, your family, her students and colleagues, and all those who were touched by her life are in my thoughts and prayers. This is not the end of Dr. Hyer's journey. She will stand by your side each day - holding your hand when you need encouragement and offering her wisdom when you least expect it. Never forget that our loved ones are never far from us and although, the broken pieces of our heart may never mend, their lives have shaped us and continue to guide us each. We are part of their legacies here on earth and I know that we will all meet again one day. Dr. Hyer's life ended too short, but we must continue to live our best lives for those we have lost.
Sending healing love, prayers, and my deepest sympathies to all those touched by Dr. Hyer.
With love and condolences,
-Amanda Holup
Happy Copley
January 5, 2021
I am so sad to hear of Kathy's passing. We became friends on the swim team in Port Washington, New York at the age of 7. We had innumerable sleepovers and teenage phone conversations. We agonized together over applying to colleges. Kathy was a bridesmaid in my wedding. We stayed friends through our adult years, albeit usually at a distance. Despite her incredibly full life, Kathy was never too busy to touch base with a childhood friend. My heart goes out to Jim, Liz, Jay, and her family, friends and colleagues. She was a beautiful spirit and will be missed.
Sheryl Zimmerman
January 5, 2021
Even as a colleague of the same generation, Kathy was consistently a role model, mentor, and source of inspiration. Her vitality and passion were unparalleled, and her personal style made all contributions feel valued. I will miss her greatly.
Punam GhimireRisal
January 5, 2021
Dear Dr. Hyer’s family
I am severly saddened to know about Dr. Hyer. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Hyer for a short duration. She was a role model on how to raise a loving family while perusing a dedicated career contributed to the aging population. She was full of life and was a very caring mentor to her team.I remember she was so fond of her grandchildren. This is my last picture with her, I had plans to share this picture with her someday but never got to do it. I miss her tremendously. Our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences .
Leonard Poon
January 5, 2021
It was a shock to hear of Kathy’s passing, especially on the first day of a new year. I remember Kathy’s bubbly personality and a ray of sunshine filled with enthusiasm when we talked over the many years about aging issues and aging research. Rest In Peace.
Leonard W. Poon
Distinguished Research Professor Emeritus
The University of Georgia
Lore Vincent
January 5, 2021
My sincerest condolences to your family. Dr. Hyer served her purpose she planted so many seeds that have bloomed. Because of her so many have flourished. Although she may be gone her life, work and legacy will live through every student she groomed into long term care professionals
Long-Teng Lee;Ch.eng-Chieh Lin;Ying-Chin Lin/ Chaiman and General Secretary, 2019 IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress
January 5, 2021
This is the message of condolences for Dr. Hyer:
Our most profound and heartfelt condolences go out to Dr. Hyer’s family. We would like you to know that, having the pleasure of meeting her in person at the 2019 IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress, my colleagues and I at the Taiwan Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics will always remember Dr. Hyer with gratitude and respect. We pray that you will find comfort and peace knowing that she will live on forever in the hearts and deeds of every next-generation gerontologist privileged to benefit from her lasting legacy.
Rosalyn Roker
January 5, 2021
My prayers and condolences to the family. I am really sad to hear about Dr. Hyer’s passing. Dr. Hyer was passionate about her work in the field of aging which is evident by her many professional accomplishments. She poured into the lives of so many people across many spectrums.
For her students, Dr. Hyer challenged us all to be great. I’m blessed that I had the opportunity to learn from her and share in many conversations. She was supportive, and always willing to lend an ear and offer sound advice. I marveled at her thought process. Her legacy will live on. Rest In Peace, Dr. Hyer.
Zechariah Legendary
January 4, 2021
Her reputation is beyond this world or words!
I struggled to find the right words to express the mark/impression Dr. Hyer left on the projection of my life. More than often our reputations grow to be bigger than the person, however, Dr. Hyer was beyond her reputation. She aided in shaping the direction of my life as an undergrad at USF. She motivated me to join the fight of serving our elder population. Before meeting Dr. Hyer, I did not know anything about LTC or serving the elder population. I will cherish memories of talking with Dr. Hyer after every class and all the random visits during her office hours throughout undergrad. She motivated/pushed me to graduate and become a Nursing Home Administrator. #GoneNeverForgotten
C Joanne Grabinski
January 4, 2021
I am deeply saddened to learn of Kathy's death. My condolences to her family and to her colleagues. I had the privilege of serving with Kathy very briefly on the AGHE Executive Committee in 2009 and I knew of her wonderful work through GSA. She was a leader in so many ways through her professional work that allowed our lives and paths to cross for awhile. She modeled how to mix the professional and the personal for many of us. Thank you and RIP, Kathy.
Larry Polivka
January 4, 2021
I was privileged to be able to hire Kathy to work with us at the USF Policy Exchange Center In 1999 and to work with her closely until I retired from USF in 2009. I came to value Kathy highly as a colleagues and friend during that time as we worked together on many projects designed to improve the quality of care in long term care in Fl. and across the country . I also got to know her wonderful family and enjoyed many delightful evenings with them in their home and had a chance to meet many interesting fellow guests.
Kathy’s extraordinary energy, work ethic, knowledge , experience ,professional network and dedication to making long term care better and more available to our rapidly growing population of older people were critical to our work on many important projects . She showed the same qualities in her work with students and faculty colleagues after she became a member of the new School for Aging Studies In 2003 . Her abilities as an outstanding researcher were evident from the beginning leading to a very impressive body of work on a range of topics for the next 17 years . Her achievements were recognized by her colleagues across the country when she was elected president of theGSA in 2018.
We have lost one of the leading lights in aging research and pedagogy over the 20 or more years and we’re not likely to see anyone like her for a long time .I feel very fortunate to have had many opportunities to work with her and will miss her enormously.
LuMarie Polivka-West
January 4, 2021
The world is less spirited with the loss of Kathy Hyer. My deep condolences to the love of her life, Jim, whom she always treasured and her beautiful daughter and loving son and their spouses, and the delight of her life, her precious granddaughters. Kathy’s life ended too soon but she reached the pinnacles of success in her work in gerontology and aging advocacy. Kathy’s expertise was recognized nationally as the GSA President and her many publications and awards. It was her enthusiasm for life that warmed the hearts of those around her. It is in our hearts that Kathy lives on.
Gail Powell-Cope
January 4, 2021
I was so sorry to hear of Kathy’s death. I had the opportunity to work with her when I worked at the Tampa VA. She was a bright light whose loss will be felt by so many whose lives she touched. My condolences to the family.
Megan Janke
January 4, 2021
Kathy will be greatly missed. I will always remember her as passionate, caring, dedicated, and supportive. She made an important impact on my life, and I will never forget how she and Cathy McEvoy helped me transition to USF’s School
of Aging Studies when my husband started working there. She was a wonderful mentor and always willing to help me out or give me advice. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends, and colleagues. Rest in peace, Kathy.
Christopher Magyor
January 4, 2021
I am really saddened to hear this news ! Just loved helping Kathryn with her computer issues in her office at FMHI/ MHC -- we had some great conversations while I was getting her computers back up and running and she was always optimistically frustrated with those computers but loved her tech. Email was her favorite I think .. more than a few times she gave me some life advice - it wasn't just a job - her work and day to day operations - it seemed to me that she always made some room to say hi or be more personal with you - which I always appreciated so much when helping Kathryn. I know FMHI / MHC will miss her so much and I will always treasure the times I spent helping her - what a fabulous person.
Patrick Barmore
January 4, 2021
Kathy was a joy to work with in the Board of Hospice. Her legacy with the PACE Program is immeasurable. Please know how sorry I am for your loss. She was a bright spirit.Peace
Illiana Suarez
January 4, 2021
My sincerest condolences to the family, friends , and fellow students of Kathryn Hyer. Professor Hyer will be deeply missed❤️ I had the pleasure of enrolling in her Administration of Assisted Living Facilities course and her guidance truly changed the trajectory of my academic and professional career. As a student with disabilities there were many times I felt as if I wasn’t qualified to pursue higher education ; But Professor Hyer was always so incredibly kind , and encouraging. She was so passionate about her work , and her enthusiasm and dedication to the field of Gerontology inspired me to further my education by declaring a minor in aging sciences. She truly worked to make this world a brighter place. I will forever treasure her encouragement, and I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to learn under such a remarkable woman.❤️
Lisa Brown
January 4, 2021
Those of us who had the privilege of working with Kathy on a project or committee know she was an extraordinary colleague and mentor who always went the extra mile. Meeting her at the start of my academic career, she opened my eyes to the possibilities of what could be accomplished to improve the lives of older adults at a systems level. She introduced me to thinking about how policy, regulations, and laws could be enacted to facilitate group change. Kathy was passionate, committed, vibrant, brilliant, and kind. All-in-all, she possessed a winning combination of attributes that made her a natural leader and a wonderful friend.
Kathy was a woman of faith who quietly led others in her efforts to make the world a better place. Regardless of what she was facing, she exuded hope about the future. She was always gracious about investing her energy into the lives of others to help shape their academic endeavors, launch careers, and provide support when the chips were down. Her loyalty and support of family, friends, and colleagues was unparalleled. I could always count on Kathy. Despite being busy with a wide variety of professional activities, she always made her family and friends a priority. I am blessed to have had her in my life and I will miss her dearly.
April Henkel
January 4, 2021
Kathy was generous and kind, creative and lots of fun, too. She always asked great questions, and many of them moved what were already important projects to even greater achievements. She will be missed by many - family, friends, students and colleagues. She'll be missed by the aging network and long term care as she made many contributions in those fields. Always quick to bring others alongside her work, she helped many of us along the way, myself included. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.
Larry Schonfeld
January 4, 2021
We are devastated by the loss of our dear friend Kathy. We will always remember her big smile and kind heart, and the enjoyment we all had socializing, tailgating, and just being with Jim and Kathy outside of the work environment. It was truly a pleasure to have worked with her. She was an accomplished researcher and policy expert, outstanding mentor, and generally just a wonderful colleague. Such a loss for all of us.
Our thoughts are with Jim and the family during this sad time. May you all find comfort in the wonderful memories and knowing that so many loved and respected her.
Larry Schonfeld & Krista Kutash
Treasure Island, FL
Mary McSweeney-Feld
January 4, 2021
Kathy Hyer was a mentor to me in my academic career and my research on emergency preparedness. She was kind, patient and supportive of any efforts to build research capacity on disasters and older adults. She was also a good friend who encouraged me and was a great listener. I know that she was also a woman of faith, and that her faith sustained her in her work. Blessings to you Kathy, your life and example touched my life in so many ways.
Mary Helen McSweeney-Feld, Ph.D., LNHA, FACHCA
Associate Professor
Towson University, Towson, MD
Mary Jo McKay
January 4, 2021
The Aging Network's army has lost a general! I've worked with Kathryn on numerous projects to improve the lives of Hillsborough County's seniors. She served as an inaugural member of the County's Aging Council. Her passion, knowledge, energy and compassion will never be forgotten. I looked forward to seeing her each year at the Florida Conference on Aging. Attached is a picture of us at 2019's conference.
Elsa Strotmeyer
January 4, 2021
I was so extremely sad to hear of Kathy's passing. I met Kathy through her role in GSA, especially as GSA President when I was Chair of the GSA Health Sciences section last year. I gratefully appreciated her extensive professional contributions to science and to GSA, which were always accompanied by her wonderful attitude, positivity and of course - her smile! She will be greatly missed by her colleagues. I extend my deepest sympathies to her family and friends.
Elsa S. Strotmeyer, PhD, MPH
Associate Professor
Center for Aging and Population Health
Department of Epidemiology
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh
David Wolf
January 4, 2021
Kathy won the 2018 American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) Education Award. I was lucky enough to be the person who nominated her and I wanted to share my nomination letter:
TO: ACHCA AWARDS COMMITTEE
As the Academic Board Member of our organization and a board member of the Florida Chapter, it is my distinct pleasure to nominate Dr. Kathryn Hyer as a Leader in Aging for the ACHCA Education Award.
I have known Dr. Hyer for many years. She is a Professor in the School of Aging Studies and the Director for the Florida Policy Exchange Center on Aging, at the University of South Florida (USF), Tampa, FL. Dr. Hyer’s work in the field of gerontology is very well known nationally and globally. I had the great pleasure of co-authoring an article with Dr. Hyer and her personal integrity, sincerity and passion for the field of long-term care and gerontology are quite evident. Dr. Hyer also is currently serving as co-board member on the Florida chapter of the ACHCA.
Dr. Hyer is also a prolific researcher, having authored or co-authored many peer-reviewed journal articles based on her extensive and well-funded research. Recognizing her expertise in the fields of gerontology, long-term care and community disaster preparedness, Dr. Hyer gave expert testimony to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on Disaster Preparedness in September 2017.
Dr Hyer has held many national leadership roles in gerontological societies and has been appointed to several national committees and panels. In recognition of Dr. Hyer’s contributions, she was inducted as a Fellow in the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and in the Association of Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE).
Her teaching and scholarly accomplishments are very well known in both academic and practitioner circles. She has supervised or served on over 20 dissertations involving again, gerontology, and long-term care.
It is truly my pleasure to nominate Dr. Hyer for the 2018 ACHCA Education Award.
Bob Murphy
January 4, 2021
Kathy was such a good friend and supporter for over 25 years and this is such a loss to the long term care community as well as to myself. My condolences to her family.
Eddie Miller
January 4, 2021
Kathy was simply best. Always cheerful. Always supportive. Always interested in how you were doing professionally and personally. She was a positive force in the lives of everyone who knew her, a great friend, mentor, scholar, and leader in Gerontology. My family extends its deepest condolences to Kathy's family, friends, and colleagues. May her memory be a blessing.
April Temple
January 4, 2021
As one of my former mentors, Dr. Hyer had a lasting impact on my education and professional development. I always admired her passion, dedication, and tireless advocacy to improve the lives of older adults. Her loss to the field is profound, and her legacy will be remembered and carried on by all those who were fortunate to work with her. I send my deepest sympathies to her family, colleagues near and far, and all her students over the years from USF SAS.
Christine Cauffield
January 4, 2021
I had the pleasure of serving with Kathy on the Florida Council on Aging board. Her passion and dedication to our seniors was contagious. She always had a smile and contributed greatly to our board with her wisdom and knowledge of best-practice approaches for helping older adults.
Praying that the family is given courage and strength during this painful time.
Sharing in your grief,
Christine Cauffield
Kathy Black
January 4, 2021
Words truly cannot express the profound sadness over Kathy's death. She touched the lives of soooo many- across the region, state, national and international too. Faculty, students, legislators, aging service providers, the list goes on and on. She knew everyone and lovingly connected all of us in any and all efforts to enhance aging. I have worked with Kathy for nearly twenty years - joining forces on dozens of efforts - and her support made everything better. She was a light for so many and now, we must carry her light forward.
To her family, please know how lovingly she talked about you - her wonderful spouse, her children and ohhhh those grandchildren! We texted on Thanksgiving and she was soooo happy with all the fun and joy in the house with the grandchildren running around. May her memory be a blessing and guide us in the days ahead.
With deepest condolences,
Kathy Black
Scott Allen
January 4, 2021
In loving memory of a dear colleague and friend. Kathy was a true long term care advocate and my profession will miss her greatly. Praying that her family takes comfort knowing she left the world a better place. Scott Allen, NHA, Tampa
Jocelyn Brown
January 3, 2021
I only knew Dr. Hyer for a short time but she gave me sage advice on juggling motherhood in academia. She had a profound impact on my life as a student and as a woman. I will never forget her.
Debra Dobbs
January 3, 2021
Kathy was my first friend at USF and welcomed me into the School of Aging Studies almost 16 years ago. I owe a great deal to Kathy for my own successes. She was everyone’s best advocate, whether it be faculty or students. She was larger than life when it came to leadership in the field of aging, Her contributions to the field of aging will continue to enrich the lives of elders in nursing homes and assisted living and their caregivers. I will forever miss her smiling face and daily encouragement. Her family and faith is what kept her going every day. Praying for comfort to her entire family,
Angie Sardina
January 3, 2021
Dr. Hyer’s passion for gerontology was contagious. I had the pleasure of learning from her during my doctoral studies at USF. I learned so much in the classroom from Dr. Hyer, information and skills that I carry with me and use daily. However, Dr. Hyer also taught me to be unapologetically myself. She taught me how to advocate, demonstrate strength, and to persevere, which I always reflect upon when needing encouragement. Most recently we spoke about my directions and ideas for long term care, to which she was so excited, encouraging and supportive and I am so very grateful for that conversation, as well as all the wonderful memories of her over the past 6 years. She gave so much of herself to everyone, and touched so very many lives. My deepest condolences to Dr. Hyer’s family and friends. May you find comfort in the love and memories shared. My heart goes out to you all. Rest In Peace, Dr. Hyer.
Kelly Smith
January 3, 2021
My deepest condolences to Kathy’s family. She touched many lives including my own both personally and professionally. Her passing is a tremendous loss and I will always be grateful to have called her not only my mentor but also my friend.
Li-Fan Liu
January 3, 2021
Deep condolence for her family . She was a loving person and inspired gerontologist all over the world. She will be deeply missed by all the friends and gerontological communities in Taiwan.
Robyn Stone
January 3, 2021
I am so saddened that the world has lost Kathy. She will be sorely missed by the gerontological community for her incredibly relevant applied research, her advocacy for older adults, her commitment to students and her infectious humor and optimism. While she left us too soon, her legacy lives on! I have so many fond memories over the 30 years we worked together to make this world a better place to age.
Kailey McNerney
January 3, 2021
My heart is saddened today as I heard the news. Dr. Hyer is the reason I went into a profession that I love every day. She was so bright. Her passion, and energy were unwavering. My thoughts are with her family at this time.
Mindy Sollisch
January 3, 2021
A very sad day. We have lost an important researcher and advocate for older adults.
Etta Green
January 3, 2021
Dear Jim, I am so sorry that Kathy has passed away from us. She was a lady in the truest sense of the word, a really lovely soul. She is resting now in the loving arms of God and her family but she will always be with you and the children.
Love, Etta Green
Judy Howe
January 2, 2021
Kathy was a wonderful colleague and friend, who I knew for decades. She was a shining star who possessed a zest for life and a brilliant, innovative mind. Taken too early to eternal rest. I send my deep condolences to her husband Jim who I know she loved with a passion, her adored children Liz and Jim, and her entire family. I will never forget Kathy.
Judy Howe