Kathryn Doris Glass

March 3, 1932 - January 17, 2014 Mentor, role model, front-line social worker, and community activist, Kathryn D. Glass, age 81, of Lakewood, CO passed away January 17, 2014. She is survived by her beloved life partner of 35 years, Carmah Lawler. She is also survived by many cousins as well as legions of friends and admirers from across the country. Kathy was born in Enid, OK, the only child of Robert and Agnes Glass who predeceased her. She grew up in Waukomis, OK. Kathy earned a Bachelor's Degree from Oklahoma State University and a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver. Kathy worked as a student social worker at the Colorado State Children's Home and Denver County Old Age Assistance. After becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker she continued working for Denver County, including Child Welfare Services. She later moved to the Vancouver, BC, Canada area where she worked for Catholic Charities and Provincial Social Services for fifteen years. She worked as a child care caseworker, middle manager and supervisor. Upon returning to Colorado, she worked as a school social worker, retiring from Jeffco Public Schools. Those who worked with Kathy knew she could be counted on to always go the extra mile. While working for Jeffco Public Schools, Kathy became a particular advocate for students with attention deficit disorder, serving on the board of the first nonprofit group in Colorado working for the needs of these students. She provided workshops for parents, educators and health care professionals across the state regarding the needs of this at-risk group. Kathy served her clients with competency, integrity, respect and great compassion. She had a great affinity for elementary age children. She liked to play as much as they did. She was there for their hurts, wounds and traumas. She loved their innocence and laughter. They always asked to see her with the phrase, “I need to talk to KathyGlass” - all one word. Many, most, adult staff in the schools felt the same way; they also needed to talk to KathyGlass. Following her retirement, Kathy and Carmah became well-respected and successful activists for children and family issues and equality issues. Together, they could often be found testifying before the Colorado State Legislature on a range of social justice issues. Kathy and Carmah were actively involved in many civic organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Old Lesbians Organizing for Change (OLOC), Jefferson County Democrats and The Center. They were among the instigators of the Jeffco Dems GLBT Caucus. They were recognized for their efforts with many awards including the Democrats of the Year for Jefferson County in 2004, the Eleanor Roosevelt Award in 2007, and the first Del Martin Award from the national OLOC organization in 2010. They appeared in the Boulder County Health and Aging Services “Project Visibility” training video for people in senior service and elder care professions who might not have encountered or thought about the issues of their older gay clients. This video has been shown throughout this country and led to interviews with both local and national publications. In addition to working hard for clients and causes, Kathy believed in playing as well. She loved traveling and had visited many places around the globe. She particularly cherished a trip to Sweden where her family originated and she met a cousin. She and Carmah also generously invited people to travel with them and since they were beloved by so many, it wasn't unusual to find a dozen people or more traveling in their entourage. Those travel pictures show a smiling and animated Kathy as she absorbed all that the places had to offer. Kathy was an avid reader and learner. She was constantly passing books back and forth between friends and always picked up the latest newspaper when she was out. She was current, vital and alive! A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on February 15, 2014 at the Lakewood Country Club, 6800 W 10th Ave, Lakewood, CO 80214. Memorials may be made to The Center, 1301 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80218 or the League of Women Voters of Colorado, 1410 Grant Street Suite B204, Denver, CO 80203.