Kate Throop died Jan. 12 of multiple myeloma.  A member from 1995-2008, Kate was an active UUSS volunteer in many capacities, including Board President.  She served on our staff as Director of Religious Education from 1998-2003.  She and Terry Throop moved to Cayucos in 2008.  Her memorial service will be held at the church in San Luis Obispo, 3:00 p.m., Sun., Feb. 17.  We extend our condolences to Terry and their daughters.

Memorial contributions may be made to Unitarian Universalists San Luis Obispo, Friends of the Cayucos Library or Northfield Mt. Hermon School.

She is missed by many at UUSS.  These are words of Denis Edgren, UUSS Vice President:

Kate welcomed every family (parents and RE youth) when I joined UUSS in 1998.  She had a warm smile and an encouraging demeanor.  Kate inspired me to join the RE Committee and soon I found myself co-chair working with her to help decide on curriculum and recruit adult volunteer RE leaders.  She always had ideas and suggestions for how to improve the program, but she also asked for input and sought consensus.   During her time as a volunteer at UUSS, Kate served as an auction worker and Unigram editor.  I think she also sang in the choir.  As UUSS President, Kate was the face of the Board and the congregation during a period of both pain and healing for the UUSS community.  The church was preparing to hire a Family Minister (Rev. Roger), working towards Green Sanctuary certification, and dealing with property transfer bequests.  It was also a time of fiscal challenges, as the budget was in deficit.  Kate worked with her Board and UUSS staff to meet all of these challenges and with strength, generosity, and calm leadership.  And always with a smile.   Terry, Kate’s partner and husband, deserves recognition for his many contributions to UUSS (Finance Committee, Building and Grounds) and his service in advocating and supporting Kate’s ministry to UUSS.