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| <back | home Katie Donovan - A Tribute September 27, 1970 - January 19, 2005 Katie Donovan brought warmth, charm and a sparkle to our lives during the three years she worked at the Environmental Defense Center. Coming to EDC from the east coast, she previously had worked for SoundWaters, an environmental education organization in Stamford, Connecticut. Prior to that, Katie had grown up in Bakersfield, California; then she earned a degree in Journalism at the University of Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Non-Profit Administration from the Pratt Institute in New York City. She moved to Ventura in January 2002, and began working at the EDC shortly thereafter. Katie was EDC’s Development Director, ensuring that we had the financial resources to support our environmental education, advocacy and legal programs. She was the energy and spirit behind our community events, including our popular TGIFs and our annual environmental hero awards ceremony and auction. She was the smiling force behind the scenes, keeping things flowing and keeping our volunteers happy. Most importantly, she was a close friend. Katie will be remembered for her positive outlook, joyous ways, and constant smile. We will also remember her incredible calm, which pervaded the universe around her, no matter how stressful it felt for the rest of us. It was Katie who could lighten our load by making a joke and reminding us not to take ourselves too seriously. She didn’t sweat the small stuff and set an example for those around her to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Like the rest of us, Katie loved nature; however, she wasn’t content to operate within the confines of an office building. She loved adventure. She learned to scuba dive so she could explore the ocean. She also learned to kayak river rapids with her boyfriend Joe and her close friends Laura and Mike. Always the colorful person, Katie insisted on kayaking in a bright purple helmet, which Joe bought for her. She also loved hiking, camping, stargazing, and traveling. Some of her most enjoyable travels included trips across the U.S., as well as journeys to London, Portugal, and Ecuador. Katie not only enjoyed exploring other lands and cultures, but she also loved learning about other people’s lives, especially those that were very different from hers. She was equally accepting of all types and didn’t feel a need to judge or compare. Instead, she appreciated the differences in all she encountered, making friends from all walks of life. In this way, she possessed a wisdom and grace far beyond her 34 years--she seemed to judge others by their hearts and not by their wallets, political beliefs, or appearances. Katie taught us to keep perspective. In a world of conformity, Katie was a breath of fresh air. She was a free spirit who lived life on her own terms. She loved changing her hair color, meeting friends in dive bars, and savoring a great sandwich or garden burger. She taught us how important it is to love your work, but also to spend time with your family, friends and loved ones outside of work. We will miss the way Katie elevated our enjoyment and appreciation of every day. Now, we’ll have to do more of the work of enjoying this life without her personal assistance. To honor her, we will pull Katie into our thoughts as an ally to help us enjoy and appreciate our own brief time on this planet. We will remember Katie often, at the beach or on a hike, over drinks at Jimmy’s, or at one of EDC’s many community events and fundraisers. We will remember her sparkling blue eyes, radiant smile, keen intelligence, boundless kindness and enduring sense of humor. Katie’s life was filled with wonderful experiences and great joy. She packed more life into 34 years than most people do in 80. We will all keep Katie alive in our hearts for the rest of our days, each of us made richer for having known her. "Make the best of everything; think the best of everybody; hope the best for yourself." This quote by George Stephenson was attached to Katie’s computer. Katie was killed in a car accident at La Conchita on January 19, 2005. She is survived by her mother Constance F. Donovan; grandmother Margaret White; sister Peggy and her husband Eric Verheul and their three children Sarah, Meghan, and Matthew; brother Steve Donovan; sister Lisa Donovan and her daughter Megan; the love of her life, Joe Martinelli; and many friends and relatives. Katie’s family held services in her honor on January 29, 2005 in Bakersfield. The EDC invited Katie’s friends to join us in a celebration of her life on Sunday, February 13, at the EDC. At her family’s request, donations in Katie’s memory may be made to EDC, 906 Garden Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. Submitted by Linda Krop, with help from Katie’s family, friends, and co-workers. <back | top^ |