VALE
Kate Webster 8.10.1963 – 16.2.2021
Debra Matthews (Churchward, 1980) Lifelong friend
O
ur dear friend Kate passed away on 16 February, 2021 after a long and courageous fight against debilitating multiple sclerosis (MS) triggered by a car accident in July 1987. Kate’s parents, Margaret and Jim Webster, cared for Kate for all these years, Margaret continuing after Jim’s passing in 2018, supported by siblings Graeme, Chris, and Lisa (Webster 1982). All who knew Kate were touched by her brightness and generosity, her smile that lit up a room, and her mischievous giggle that always meant she was up to something. You could still see that cheeky sparkle in her eyes up to her passing. Kate excelled in her studies, graduating with Credit in Certificate of Business Studies, and was a student of the 1980 leavers cohort. She loved her time at Penrhos and made great friendships in those green iconic uniforms (summer and winter). She was independent, pushed the boundaries to achieve and questioned most things - no one was going to tell Kate what not to do, if Kate wanted to do it. Kate came to Penrhos as a ‘day-goer’ in the then first year of High School (Year 8) and was placed into Troy faction. She was a valuable member of the support and cheer team, putting all her energies into both her friendships and scholastic endeavours.
She was ambitious, strong-minded, and smart. Kate commenced her working career with the then CBC Bank of Sydney and later National Australia Bank. She loved to travel and did the fashionable journey to Europe, and also enjoyed Singapore. Kate fell in love and married a WA boy who she thought would be her forever, but that wasn’t to be after her car accident and deteriorating health. Kate found support, encouragement and friends at the Pentecostal Church, Victory Life - graduating at Bible College (shown in image above) brought her much joy. Kate’s life, although not as she imagined when we were at Penrhos, was hard fought. That fire in her belly and determination kept her with us for so many beautiful years. Penrhos provided her with a great education, confidence and friendships. The years with Kate at Penrhos were truly memorable. Kate attended most of her Penrhos reunions, and it was fantastic that her mother Margaret brought her along to her 40th Reunion at Penrhos in November 2020. Kate will be sadly missed, but never forgotten. Rest in peace, our brave and spirited Penrhosian.
The Penrhos College community extends its deepest sympathy to the loved ones of alumni and friends who have passed away. We remember and celebrate the lives of those no longer with us at our Founders’ Day chapel service, in our College Book of Condolences and in our Alumni Memorial Garden. Whilst we make every effort to notify the community of the passing of our alumni with the consent of their families, we rely on your assistance in this by kindly informing us of any losses in your family and networks. In this respect, please contact us at alumni@penrhos.wa.edu.au.
EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN
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