Charlene Kate Kavanagh

1946 - 2024

Charlene Kate Kavanagh

December 22, 1946 - December 12, 2024

Charlene Joy Kavanagh, "Kate", passed away suddenly on December 12th, 2024, at the age of 77. Charlene was born on December 22, 1946, the eldest daughter of Sylvia Albrecht and Frank Kress in Highland, Indiana, and grew up with three loving sisters, Lynne, Beverly, and Beth.

Kate joined the Navy in 1968 and served more than three years at Naval Station Great Lakes. On her 24th birthday, Kate gave birth to her son, Matt, who graduated from Madison West High School in 1988. In 1972, Kate moved to Madison where she received her PhD in Psychology in 1981 with a thesis that helped usher in a new age of treatment for severely burned children. Dr. Kate demonstrated that children who were allowed to change their bandages rather than receive the standard of care (Nurses changing bandages), experienced improved mental health outcomes, reduced pain and produced adaptive behaviors.

Dr. Kate went on to become an Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine and School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In the mid-1980s, she founded Shorewood Psychiatric Associates and in 1995, Spectrum Counseling.

In 1990, Kate co-wrote a textbook, "Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing" and then in 2007 self-published, "Going Home: The Lost Story of Chief the Fire Dog", the story of a destitute dog's quest for home, family, and a sense of self. Kate was inspired to address the emotional needs of children which she felt were often forgotten in times of grief and suffering.

In 1996, Kate married the love of her life, Gib Halverson. She and Gib, a Vietnam War Veteran and firefighter for the Madison Fire Department, built a life together in Madison then Show Low, Arizona. In 2020 they settled in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dr. Kate started a mental health consulting service, "Living in the Light" offering transpersonal psychotherapy and life coaching. A constant in her life, Kate was always researching and learning. She defined herself as a "spirit woman" and was not only knowledgeable but proficient in many kinds of health modalities, tirelessly promoting wellness and healing for herself and her family.

With the support of Gib, Kate overcame eye cancer and painful migraines. She was in the best health of her life when she was suddenly taken from us, joining those who preceded her in death including one of her favorite patients, Kristen. After her passing, Kristen was an angel who was with Kate often, keeping her safe and from harm's way.

Charlene will be sorely missed by all her family and friends, but we take some comfort in knowing she left us at the pinnacle of her life. No services by her request. The family requests that donations be made to Shriners Children's in her memory, Charlene "Kate" Kavanagh.