The
oldest daughter of 8 children, Kathy
Hofmann was born in Girard, KS,
moving to Raytown as a child then as
an adult in Lee's Summit, where she
raised her family.
A graduate of St.
Teresa's Academy and Metro Park
College. Kathy has worked as a
real estate agent and at the Plaza
Board of Trade, but most her adult
life has been spent advocating for
others. When each of her four
daughters were diagnosed with
critical illness, she became
involved with 'Mothers of
Handicapped Children', an advocacy
group lobbying politicians to enact
laws to assist individuals with
special needs, such as neighborhood
group homes, respite care and seat
belts on state buses.
In
1996 Kathy began the “SPIRIT OF LIFE
AWARD” at St. Luke’s on Heart
Institute-4 in honor of her husband
Lee, who had a heart transplant.
St. Luke’s continues to give this
award annually. The award is a clock
that reminds us all that a heart
transplant can only buy us time,
because in fact that is all anyone
has.
Kathy
has served as chapter leader for
Compassionate Friends, and has been
a participant of the brain tumor
support group and the heart
transplant support group, both at
St. Luke’s Hospital. She is also
active at the First Presbyterian
Church in Lee’s Summit.
In
2006 she was elected to the Lee’s
Summit City Council, District #1.
Since that time, the National League
of Cities has presented her with the
bronze and silver certification in
leadership, and Kathy is currently
working toward the gold level. She
remains active in the Lee’s Summit
Chamber of Commerce and Partners In
Education.
Even
though she remains busy in the
community she enjoys her time with
her four granddaughters, writing
poetry and short stories. Kathy’s
philosophy is “live, laugh and love
life to the fullest, enjoy what one
can, give what you will, help those
in need, and be thankful for each
new day".
