Elizabeth Kate Deal

Elizabeth Kate Deal passed away on Friday May 23, 2025. She was born July 9th, 1938, in Tulsa Oklahoma to Dorthy Clay Gosney & Joseph William Deal Jr. Kate grew up in Laramie, Wyoming, along with her older sister, Connie, where her father ran the Deal Lumber Company. These were formative years for her as this is where she developed a passion for the outdoors. Kate was often led on these early adventures by her older cousin, Kelly Oliver. The family moved to Wichita, Kansas when Kate was in 3rd grade. Her father, unexpectedly passed away when Kate was fourteen, and as a way to process their loss, Kate’s mom took the two girls to Hawaii, where they embraced their identity as the Deal Girls.

A 1956 graduate of Wichita East High School, Kate attended the University of Kansas, was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta, and graduated in 1960 with a degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduating Kate moved to Denver to be close to the mountains and to take an elementary school teaching position. Thus began a 32-year career with Denver Public Schools, where she was a teacher, principal & administrator. She was much loved by her students and colleagues. During this period, she found time to earn a master’s degree from Colorado University.

Throughout her life, Kate maintained her love of the outdoors and animals. She shared her home with many Collies & Shelties and was known to stop and greet all dogs she encountered. Kate was an elegant skier, avid golfer and loved to hike and fish. She was known for keeping a beautiful home with a yard filled with flowers. Upon her retirement, Kate started traveling around the states in her RV. After the initial challenge of learning to navigate an RV, which included run-ins with three building/structures, she and her friends enjoyed many trips together over the years.

After Kate was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, she was fortunate to be able to live out her final years in her own home. This was possible because of an amazing team led by Kellie (CS Advocare), Shannon (Beacon Care Management) & Heather (Colorado Help at Home). Kate found comfort in a wonderful team of aides/nurses that included Roni & Bree, Deny, Sandra, Angela, Andrea & King, Bukola, Beza, Ayne, Carla, Loubna, Whitney, Stephanie, and many others.

Kate was fortunate to have an amazing group of friends. Some of whom she met during her first-year teaching. This group includes Marian, Kay, Barbara, Anita, Ginny along with several who preceded her in death – Laura, Bud, Carla, Joy, and Carol.

Kate was preceded in death by her father, Joseph William Deal, Jr and her mother, Dorothy Clay Gosney Deal. She is survived by her sister Connie Albright, niece Stephanie Stinson (husband Matt, and their children Sarah, Elizabeth, Steven, Autumn and Gabby and their spouses), nephew Chris (wife Laura, and sons Ben and Duncan) and her 15 great nieces and nephews.

Kate’s service is July 1st at 1:00pm at St John’s Cathedral, reception to follow.