Kathleen 'Kate' Sheaffer

NEW YORK – Kathleen "Kate" Sheaffer, formerly of Sterling, passed away Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, after a long battle with cancer.

Kate was a graduate of Sterling High School and North Central College in Naperville. For most of the past 35 years, she lived in New York City, where she was a self-employed consultant in the political arena. Well-acquainted in Washington, District of Columbia, in 1984 she worked closely with Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman vice presidential candidate of a major American political party. She later planned trips and other major events for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, and then for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Kate was a longtime associate with the Kettering Foundation of Dayton, Ohio, where she managed many major projects in the political and public policy arena. Colleagues recalled Kate as the supreme professional – knowledgeable, meticulous, and diplomatic, but also warm, funny, and passionate about making the country a better place. Kate loved to travel, and particularly was drawn to all things French. She loved Paris more than any place in the world.

She is survived by two sisters, Janine Sheaffer (Dan) Johnson of Downers Grove, and Chris (Connie Miller) Sheaffer of University Park; and three brothers, John (Tim Baack) of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, Larry (Ellen) of Glen Ellyn, and Peter (Karen) of Farmington, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to her much-loved Carl Schurz Park on Manhattan’s East River. Contributions may be sent to The Carl Schurz Conservancy, 1483 York Ave., No. 20523 New York, NY 10075-8819.