Kathleen LIBERTY Obituary

November 9, 1947 – May 26, 2025. Kathleen's life of accomplishment and love ended near her home in Lincoln, New Zealand, attended by her family and friends, due to the rare and incurable type of cancer she had lived with for 2 years. Kathleen was the first child of Robert Allard and Dorothy Brott Liberty. She was born in Seattle, shortly after her parents had moved from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She grew up in Seattle and Portland, earning her BA and MA in Education at the University of Oregon and her PhD at the University of Washington where she was a lecturer. Her career was dedicated to research and teaching for the benefit of children and adults with mental and physical challenges. She treated people who were physically less able and neurodivergent with respect and compassion. While on the faculty at the University of Washington she met her husband Doug Neil, a native of Whidbey Island Washington, a rare combination of athlete, athletic coach, a celebrated sculptor and a person of literary interests and skill. These interests were shared with Kathleen who was a talented artist when she had the time. In 1990, shortly after the birth of her son, Thomas Liberty, they moved to Christchurch, New Zealand, where she had been recruited by the University of Canterbury. Kathleen was an Associate Professor of Education and Health Sciences, conducting research and teaching until she was in her 70s, receiving awards and professional recognition, including receiving the University of Oregon Clark Honors College Alumni Achievement Award in 2008. In the aftermath of the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes, which devastated large areas of Christchurch, her research identified a significant rise in PTSD symptoms among schoolchildren. Building on this work, she focused on implementing strategies to help schools manage these challenges, including introducing the Play, Eat, Learn method into Canterbury schools. She and her family embraced their new home becoming New Zealand citizens; Kathleen even became a serious cricket fan staying up late to watch test matches played in India and supporting her grandson every week with his team. She is survived by her husband Doug, son Thomas, daughter-in-law Brie and her grandchildren Theo, and Oakleigh, sister Sara and her husband Peter in Massachusetts and their daughters Lillian and Libie, brother Robert and his husband Khanh in Portland, Oregon. They along with her many friends will miss her deeply. A small, private service was held on May 31, and there will be a public celebration of life in the summer which the family will advertise.