‘She was fierce and fearless in entrance of energy. She challenged individuals in all one of the best methods. She stood up for and to individuals,’ says a pal
Kate Nixon was a fierce advocate for the neighborhood with a coronary heart like no different who walked round fearlessly and stuffed with pleasure.
She died at 23-years-old on Dec. 29 shortly after being identified with leukemia.
Nixon was identified for her advocacy, organizing, assist and assist for the unhoused neighborhood within the metropolis.
“Nobody in Guelph did what she did,” stated Bang Ly, pal and mentor to Kate.
He doesn’t know the way the neighborhood received so fortunate to have somebody with the innocence and power of youth however the conviction of someone who has seen life on the road.
“Kate’s life and legacy is huge. It’s so outsized for the age she was. Not many people live a whole lifetime and have Kate’s legacy. It’s hard to believe she’s only 23,” stated her pal Brendan Johnson.
With Kate, every little thing she did was rooted in love. “She created these avenues of kindness and caring,” he stated.
Her dad Grant stated there was at all times one thing happening whether or not or not it’s taking good care of rescue animals like rabbits or birds, or late night time drives downtown to convey individuals garments and meals. Even on the hospital she made positive everybody on her ground had a Christmas card with messages of encouragement.
“For a very early age she had this empathy about her that was really special, genuine and special,” stated Grant. She had the flexibility to place herself in different individuals’s positions and assist them.
Earlier than she was identified she was on the bone marrow registry. When she was on the hospital it saddened her that she wouldn’t be on the registry anymore or be capable of donate blood, he stated.
She was decided to dwell. Kate and her household had been hopeful.
Her dad needs he was extra concerned along with her neighborhood work. “She certainly leaves a lasting impression.”
Kate cherished every little thing; tradition, dance and “had such joy being in community,” stated Johnson.
Once they met they struck up a friendship and leaned on one another for the reason that work they do in the neighborhood with marginalized individuals could be heavy at occasions.
He spoke about how humorous and stuffed with pleasure she was.
“She was fierce and fearless in front of power. She challenged people in all the best ways. She stood up for and to people,” he stated.
Kate confirmed up for individuals who had been proven up for the least, he stated. She didn’t do charity work prefer it was typically achieved. She was there to assist individuals and be their pal.
“My life has been altered working with Kate,” stated Ly. There hasn’t been a teenager he has admired as a lot as Kate, for the work she did in the neighborhood.
From volunteer administration, operating day by day programming, securing funding and getting an area to function out of, there isn’t a lot she didn’t do. She began a not-for-profit from nothing besides seeing an issue and figuring it out, he stated.
“Kate burned the system down and created a new one,” Ly stated.
Whereas on-the-ground work could be difficult and it may be troublesome to get assets she in some way managed to do it week after week, stated Johnson. “She was a powerhouse. Such a beautiful, beautiful person.”
Whereas she was within the hospital she made positive Your Downtown Guelph Mates (YDGF) and its volunteers had every little thing it wanted to maintain operating. The group she helped create provides assist to individuals in want downtown with meals, clothes and different requirements.
On the hospital Kate requested Ly how she might assist him and he advised her it is her flip to be supported. She at all times took care of individuals.
By means of her work with YDGF she impressed her volunteers even when that they had solely labored along with her for a few weeks.
YDGF’s desk can be arrange at locations like St. George’s Sq. the place she knew individuals can be. She knew the way to assist individuals within the methods they wanted “and it was almost already in her DNA somehow,” stated Johnson.
At the moment he spoke with individuals who knew Kate and so they wish to honour her by preserving her work going. “You can tell that she just inspired people by who she was and how she walked in the world,” he stated. She led by instance and lifted up these round her.
“I thought there’s going to be some great things ahead, and she’s going to be extremely impactful in the world,” her dad stated. All she ever wished to do was make a distinction and assist individuals. She at all times appeared to do extra and “put her heart and soul in whatever she did.”
