A Passion for Basketball, and Life – Part 3

Did you notice two remarkable events after one of our home games last winter? All the players from our team went by Kitty Lee’s seat in the FBC bleacher section to say goodbye to her (see photo below of Kitty with Candice; photo by Deb Gumbley).

And Kitty shot the ball in the basket from our Maples floor. Well, actually Heather Owen (’97) put the ball in since Kitty failed miserably due to her advanced ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

Kitty had been bound and determined to attend the basketball game that night, despite the fact that her ALS had made breathing difficult and walking impossible. She was exhausted and communicated by writing notes since her speech was so slurred and inarticulate. Her daughter Margie didn’t think she would ever get out of bed again.

Indeed she did get out of bed, for her last basketball game. When I saw Kitty before the game that night, she was in a wheelchair, had breathing support, and was surrounded by family and friends. She took my hand eagerly and nodded and smiled. Heather and Karen Middleton had helped pave the way with Facilities to be sure Kitty could attend and sit in her usual seat. She stayed for the entire game.

Kitty had been an avid women’s basketball and volleyball fan for many, many years. How appropriate that the basketball team be able to say goodbye after the game.

That was Kitty’s last game, and she made the most of it. She died two days later.