It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Katherine, after a courageous but brief battle with leukemia, on December 29, 2024, at Grand River Hospital in Kitchener, ON, at the age of 23.
Kate was the beloved daughter and best friend of Grant and Dee, and the loving sister of Jessica who will miss her dearly. She was the cherished granddaughter of Eric Nixon and of her predeceased grandparents, Harold and Rita Gregory, and Claudette Nixon. Kate was the dear niece of Donna Nixon and the devoted big sister to her fur siblings, Romeo, Tigger, and Bunnykins.
She held a special place in her heart for her godson, James, and his brothers, Isaac and Joseph Koroma. Kate leaves behind her extended family, many friends, and colleagues.
Kate inspired countless people to make meaningful contributions to better the lives of marginalized communities. From a young age, she displayed exceptional empathy, compassion, and dedication to helping others. She volunteered with the Guelph Humane Society, Hope House, and Bracelet of Hope, and donated to various causes throughout her life.
Six years ago, Kate founded Your Downtown Guelph Friends (YDGF) to address issues such as homelessness, mental illness, food insecurity, poverty, and substance use. She insisted on inclusivity and a harm reduction approach, meeting people where they were at. Various agencies sought her expertise and resources to address their client needs. YDGF provided meals, clothing, emergency supplies, and advocacy for affordable housing while striving for awareness, equality, and dignity.
Kate was passionate about global issues, including supporting Palestine and refugee aid. She was part of a committee that welcomed a refugee family to Guelph and helped them establish their new life. She also supported other refugees in Guelph by providing food, clothing, and other resources. Additionally, she rallied for disaster relief efforts abroad, including earthquake relief in Turkiye and Syria.
Last November, Kate, along with YDGF community partners, organized a memorial to honour the lives of six community members, allowing friends and family to come together.
She was a regular blood donor with the Canadian Blood services, and was also part of the bone marrow donor registry.
Kate earned a diploma in Social Service Work and planned to complete a Master's in Social Work. As a Vice President of the Centennial College Student Association, she initiated programming for student food security and established First Nations student representation in the association.
Kate’s efforts earned her several awards, most recently the Guelph Community Builders Award for Leadership and Vision as a Young Leader.
Beyond her activism, Kate loved ballet, animal welfare, art, and sports. She coached her sister Jessica’s soccer team at age 16 and worked at The Elliott Community during high school, fostering meaningful relationships with the residents. She taught Naloxone training through St. John Ambulance and worked for the National Opioid Overdose Response Service, often dispatching paramedics to save lives. She also applied her training to reverse opioid poisoning in three individuals in Guelph.
Recently, Kate facilitated the rescue and rehoming of domestic rabbits and birds, always wanting to keep them all. She cherished life’s simple pleasures, such as feeding backyard birds and enjoying coffee on the deck while watching sunsets with family and friends.
Kate was a loyal and caring friend who valued her relationships deeply. She was happy with her life and never took it for granted, always standing as a dedicated friend and ally to others.
Kate will be deeply missed every day by her family, who are immensely proud of the incredible person she became and the lasting impact she made.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the many volunteers, generous donors, and partner organizations who supported Kate’s efforts. Special thanks to The Guelph Neighbourhood Support Coalition, Brendan Johnson, and Bang Ly. Our gratitude also goes to YDGF volunteers who continue the work and to all who supported Kate and her family during this difficult time.
Visitation and Service Details
Katherine's family will receive relatives and friends from 10:00–10:45 AM on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, 28 Norfolk St., Guelph, ON. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11:00 AM, with a reception afterward. Arrangements are entrusted to Henry Walser Funeral Home (519-749-8467).
For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at https://www.henrywalser.com/our-services/live-streaming-webcasting.
Expressions of Sympathy
In lieu of flowers, donations to Your Downtown Guelph Friends, The Canadian Cancer Society, or The Guelph Humane Society can be made through Henry Walser Funeral Home in Kitchener. Cards are available at the funeral home.