For Kate Smithson, July 1944-2024

July 7, 1944 — April 6, 2024

July 7, 1944 — April 6, 2024

To celebrate Kate's wonderful and caring life, I have been reflecting on all she brought to our world.

KT (Katee), as I affectionately called her, was very well suited for her job as a school guidance/college counselor. She was one of the rare people who knew the right questions to ask a struggling student, an upset colleague, or an angry parent. Kates' questions could gently probe, get to the root of the problem, and develop creative solutions out of a hat, much like a magician.

KT's ability to deal with the most delicate situations truly amazed me. I remember when a girl had slipped off campus to meet a former student, an expat, for lunch, and her father found out, along with the newly available video chats with an unknown boy. He beat her black and blue and pulled her out of school. But she was a senior, and graduation was just around the corner. We know Emirati men are not accustomed to being challenged by a woman, even a clever Canadian. The student never returned to school, but Kate convinced the father to agree that his daughter could receive her diploma on stage with the rest of her classmates. She couldn't process in with her class but waited backstage and walked across to receive her diploma. Her father was behind the curtain and whisked her away in his car.

Kate's greatest diplomatic triumph was dealing with Shiekah and the palace.  The issue: Sheikah had no post-high school plans and wanted to drop something like physics, so Kate decided she could work with the lower primary students during that class period. But that wasn't the end; Sheikah wanted one of her friends to be with her. The problem was that this student was going to university and needed the credit, so Kate explained that the girl had to stay in the class. This decision set off the battle royal. I was surprised when the owner of the school, Walid  Abushakra and his wife,  arrived from Cairo, and a full-court press was on to quell the raging storm. The palace wanted Kate expelled from the country immediately. Later, Kate told me her bags were ready to leave for about a year. This uncertainty went on for months, and despite knowing that she might have to leave at a moment's notice, Kate was relentless and continued to do her job. She left several years later on her terms.

It was wonderful when I could move to the Muroor apartments, and the Golden Girls were born. Kate, the guidance counselor, Elaine Fortune, Madam Libririan and me the English teacherI can still see us in our Emirati dresses, having wine and cheese, and sharing our lives, hopes, dreams, and school dramas. I have only formed such strong bonds as ours in  Abu Dhabi and Beirut. Such deep friendships are treasures, and I feel so fortunate.

Our KT was devoutly religious and a humanitarian, she wasn’t content to sit and write out a check. So when she finally retired, she and Bruce, her husband,  went to, I forget, Hondours or some other desperately poor South American country as volunteers. She touchingly wrote about the deprivation of the poor community where they served many summers. They successfully raised funds for necessities, so many things we take for granted. Deep in my heart, I know that just her presence gave hope and solace to the people she came into contact with. She lived her faith, and "do unto others" comes to mind. She got her hands dirty and dealt with the mosquitos and other wildlife in the jungle without complaint.

Kate inspired many people by gently teaching them many lessons over her lifetime. I am sure she never stopped sharing her wisdom with those around her until that dreaded disease made it impossible.

We should all hope to live exemplary lives of love and care for struggling others like Kate. My only hope is that she suffered no discomfort or pain.

Kate's friendship was a treasured gift that I cherish.

Chapala MX 

May 3, 2024