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Tribute | Kathleen Finn made lasting impression on students and parents at school for the deaf - Kansas City Star
Who: Kathleen A. Finn, 61, of Olathe
When and how she died: Sept. 20, of cancer
A life of teaching: Kathy Anderson Finn found a career that perfectly suited her gentle nature, her family and friends said: She worked with students with hearing impairments.
She happened onto the field by chance after earning a degree in speech therapy from Kansas State University, said Carolyn Darst, a longtime friend and colleague at the Kansas State School for the Deaf. Immediately after graduating from K-State in 1970, Finn enrolled in graduate school at the University of Kansas Medical Center and ended up in deaf-education classes. Something clicked, said Darst, who first met Finn in graduate school.
Finn taught in Texas and in Wichita before coming to the Kansas State School for the Deaf in the mid-1970s. There, she made a lasting impression on her students and their families, Darst said.
Often, Darst said, hearing parents worry about whether their deaf child will ever be able to speak. Finn never gave false hope, but she eased their concerns, Darst said.
“She was good at reassuring them that, yes, their child would be able to communicate, whether by signing or by voice,” said Darst, now director of admissions and related services at the school. “She would work with whatever mode they needed.”
Empathy and understanding: Many former students and their families signed Finn’s guest books on The Kansas City Star’s Web site as well as the funeral home Web site. Finn’s kindness formed a common thread, which wasn’t surprising, said her friend Thea Britton.
Britton and Finn met almost 30 years ago, when their children were young. Both were teachers, and they split baby-sitting duties so each could continue working part time.
Finn became a second mother to Britton’s children, Britton said. She exemplified selflessness and love with her caring and compassionate ways, always asking about and taking care of others, Britton said.
“I say she was a great example for my children, but she also was a great example for me,” Britton said. “She was somebody I’d like to be like when I grow up.”
Finn had empathy for all her students, husband Larry Finn said, but she had a special place in her heart for children who came from difficult circumstances or who struggled with multiple disabilities. Many times she dug deep into her pockets or raided her children’s closets to provide for such students, he said.
“She was able to accept them for who they were without judging them, which made her students feel safe with her,” said Larry Finn.
Family meant everything: Kathy met her husband at the school for the deaf, where he also taught. They raised two sons, who became the focus of Kathy’s life, her husband said.
“She would much rather spend time on the bleachers cheering for her boys than taking a vacation,” he said.
Three years ago, the Finns welcomed a granddaughter, who was the girl Kathy always wanted, Larry Finn said. Nothing pleased her more than spending time with her sons and granddaughter and her own parents, who lived in the area.
Survivors include: Her husband; two sons and one daughter-in-law; one granddaughter; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law; and four nephews.
The last word: Over the past six years, Kathy suffered a broken hip and endured hip-replacement surgery, malignant melanoma and two bouts with breast cancer. Through it all, she never gave up and she never became bitter, Larry Finn said.
“She was a real model of courage and grace,” he said.
Who: Kathleen A. Finn, 61, of Olathe
When and how she died: Sept. 20, of cancer
A life of teaching: Kathy Anderson Finn found a career that perfectly suited her gentle nature, her family and friends said: She worked with students with hearing impairments.
She happened onto the field by chance after earning a degree in speech therapy from Kansas State University, said Carolyn Darst, a longtime friend and colleague at the Kansas State School for the Deaf. Immediately after graduating from K-State in 1970, Finn enrolled in graduate school at the University of Kansas Medical Center and ended up in deaf-education classes. Something clicked, said Darst, who first met Finn in graduate school.
Finn taught in Texas and in Wichita before coming to the Kansas State School for the Deaf in the mid-1970s. There, she made a lasting impression on her students and their families, Darst said.
Often, Darst said, hearing parents worry about whether their deaf child will ever be able to speak. Finn never gave false hope, but she eased their concerns, Darst said.
“She was good at reassuring them that, yes, their child would be able to communicate, whether by signing or by voice,” said Darst, now director of admissions and related services at the school. “She would work with whatever mode they needed.”
Empathy and understanding: Many former students and their families signed Finn’s guest books on The Kansas City Star’s Web site as well as the funeral home Web site. Finn’s kindness formed a common thread, which wasn’t surprising, said her friend Thea Britton.
Britton and Finn met almost 30 years ago, when their children were young. Both were teachers, and they split baby-sitting duties so each could continue working part time.
Finn became a second mother to Britton’s children, Britton said. She exemplified selflessness and love with her caring and compassionate ways, always asking about and taking care of others, Britton said.
“I say she was a great example for my children, but she also was a great example for me,” Britton said. “She was somebody I’d like to be like when I grow up.”
Finn had empathy for all her students, husband Larry Finn said, but she had a special place in her heart for children who came from difficult circumstances or who struggled with multiple disabilities. Many times she dug deep into her pockets or raided her children’s closets to provide for such students, he said.
“She was able to accept them for who they were without judging them, which made her students feel safe with her,” said Larry Finn.
Family meant everything: Kathy met her husband at the school for the deaf, where he also taught. They raised two sons, who became the focus of Kathy’s life, her husband said.
“She would much rather spend time on the bleachers cheering for her boys than taking a vacation,” he said.
Three years ago, the Finns welcomed a granddaughter, who was the girl Kathy always wanted, Larry Finn said. Nothing pleased her more than spending time with her sons and granddaughter and her own parents, who lived in the area.
Survivors include: Her husband; two sons and one daughter-in-law; one granddaughter; her parents; her brother and sister-in-law; and four nephews.
The last word: Over the past six years, Kathy suffered a broken hip and endured hip-replacement surgery, malignant melanoma and two bouts with breast cancer. Through it all, she never gave up and she never became bitter, Larry Finn said.
“She was a real model of courage and grace,” he said.
