Katharine Olivia Stansmore

Katharine Olivia Stansmore, beloved mother and wife; dedicated and highly skilled Physician; and loyal friend of many; passed away on September 3rd, 2024 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center with her loving husband at her side.

Kathy was born on November 15th, 1968 at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. She grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, where she attended Greenwich High School, graduating in 1986. She attended University of California at Berkeley where she graduated with a major in genetics in 1991. After Berkeley, she earned a Doctor of Medicine degree at Columbia University's College of Physicians and Surgeons where she graduated with distinction in 1995 and was a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. After Columbia, she trained as a resident at Mass General Hospital and was a fellow at Beth Israel Deaconess. Her specialty in medicine was cardiology. After her medical training, she worked at Rhode Island Hospital between 2001 and 2004 and at Mass General Hospital between 2005 and 2017. While working at Mass General Hospital, Kathy established the cardiology practice at the outpatient facility of MGH West in Waltham, Massachusetts. Her reputation as a Physician was one of excellent skill and judgment. Importantly, she always was a fierce advocate for her patients as she guided many through complex and challenging procedures at MGH. Kathy was a strong believer in the Hippocratic Oath and its emphasis on patient care first.

Kathy's many friends loved her. She always was there for her friends during times of crisis or disappointment.

Kathy often said she was very proud of her medical career, but her greatest accomplishment was bearing and raising her three children. Her survivors include her husband of 20 years, Chris Heckscher; her son Alex; her daughter Margaret ; and her son William. She also is survived by her mother Margaret Mehan and her brother Tom Stansmore.

A memorial service and celebration of Kathy's life will be held at St. John's Church in Westwood, Massachusetts at 2 pm, September 29th. The family asks in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Katharine Stansmore to the following:

Autism Speaks (www.autismspeaks.org)

P.O. Box 37148

Boone, IA 50037-0148

The Corrigan Woman's Heart Center at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Checks must be made payable to Massachusetts General Hospital and can be mailed to:

The Corrigan Woman's Heart Center Fund in Memory of Katharine Stansmore

c/o MGH Development Office

125 Nashua Street, Suite 540

Boston, MA 02114