Kathryn Rabelhofer Obituary

In life's journey, I was privileged to know Kathy. She had that rare combination of seriousness and humor, conviction and compassion. My deepest sympathy to her family.

I was shocked to hear that Kathy had passed away. Of all the people I've met during my federal career, Kathy is one who will definitely stay in the forefront of my memory. She was a very special person, and my life is better for having known her. She taught me a lot during my time as one of her employees in the Personnel Office. She will be missed.

I wish to thank all of you so much for your warm words about my little sister. I don't know why it should surprise me that she shared with all of you the same qualities that made her so special to her family--her concern, her joy, her high standards, her willingness to always give to others. She meant so much to all of us in the family. To all of her nieces and nephews she was like a second mother. In the past years especially Kathy and I have grown very close. She was my confidant and best friend. We were going to grow into funny old ladies together. It doesn't seem real that I will never talk to her again face to face. Your words made me cry--but in a good way. Thanks for loving her and appreciating her, too. Love, Linda

My sympathy to Kathy's family and co-workers. I worked long distance with Kathy for many years. I admired her dedication and also enjoyed her wry comments in the midst of yet another work crisis. She will be missed greatly but remembered for being a wonderful person.

Kathy and I were long-distance work buddies a few years ago during some very tough times. I will always remember her strength, humor, and caring ways. She was one special lady. My deepest condolences to Kathy's family.

I was able to work with Kathy the summer before my freshman year in college and will treasure the time with her. I appreciated her kindness and caring attitude. I will truly miss her.

Kathy was one of the people responsible for bringing me into the OPM Family. Always supportive, always helpful, always thoughtful, and most of all...always friendly. There were a few people who made a lasting impression on how I feel about the term "work ethic" and what it means to be accountable and responsible. Kathy was one of those people. She certainly left her mark.

My condolence to Kathy family. She will be missed.

Kathy touched the hearts and minds of her colleagues with a special blend of kindness and wisdom. A consummate professional in every sense; she will be missed by those of us who were blessed with the opportunity to know and work with her!

Kathy, as I knew her, was a woman of good, strong convictions and opinions which were tempered by a wry sense of humor. She believed that people should should do the right thing and tried her best to do so. We will be the less for her loss.

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Rabelhofer at my mother's job, on Bring Your Daughter to Work Day. I thought she was sooooo adorable because she was so tiny and she became one of my favorite people to visit with:-) She was always very sweet and will be greatly missed. Here are a few words of inspiration for the friends and family.



"God grant me the Serenity to

accept the things I cannot change

Courage to change the things I can

and the Wisdom to know the difference."



God Bless

I've worked with Kathy at OPM for the past 26 years. I will miss her humor, her dedication and her concern for others. When something in the news or at work seemed less than sensible, she had a tart comment that had to make you smile. But she also shed tears if something sad happened or offered help if it was needed. We all feel great sorrow at her loss -- much much too soon.

I worked with Kathy several years ago and found her to be both a consummate professional and a warm, caring human being. She certainly leaves a wonderful legacy for both her professional and personal family. She will be missed!

Kathy will be missed by all. She was responsible for my initial training when I started working for OPM as a new employee in 1987. I have since moved on to better opportunites, and part of that is due the the training, guidance, and foundation that I received from Kathy and many others like her at OPM. She was a very dedicated and knowledgeable as well as a hard worker.



Kathy spoke of her family frequenlty and often about all the good times you all shared and loved you all very much. Know now that even though she has departed from you as long as you speak her name and cherish her memories she will not be forgotten and live on through all of you.



Please accept my deepest sympathy and know that all of you are in my prayers during this time of sorrow.

I met Kathy in January 1990 when I came to OPM. This was my first government job and Kathy immediately became a mentor for me and a friend. My entire family knew Kathy and admired her. Kathy will be missed but her memory will always be with us.

Life is a never ending cycle of births and deaths. But there are a few people who leave impressions on your heart. Kathy Rabelhofer, left a positive impression on my life. Simply because she was my toughest critic but biggest supporter. I will never forget the compliment she gave me in regards to I project that she mentored me through. That compliment meant the world to me...I wonder if she ever knew that? As the youngest member of the OPM staff in Chicago, I can honestly say she was a leader for Merit System Principle and a technical extrodinaire. I will miss her wisdom.



To her family and friends may God soothe your hearts during this difficult time. She is at peace...



Heartfelt sincereness,

Sean Lenard

You will truly be missed.

My thoughts and prayers are with Kathy's family during this time of sorrow. Kathy and I were colleagues at OPM. Over the last thirteen years, I had the great fortune to have her as a friend. My greatest memory of her will be that she was a great listener. She was always there to lend a hand, add a little humor or to just be there for me. I will truly miss her.

I will miss Kathy. Thank you for letting me know her.

When I think of Kathy, I see a beautiful, loving and giving person. Observing her as my sister-in-law's sister for 30 years, I think the thing that struck me most was that she treated the world like family. It seemed her ability to give was endless. I believe that in her short life she touched the world more than many who lived to be eighty or ninty. Her life had so much purpose and meaning that will live on forever in the minds and hearts of those she touched. Through memories, her ability to give continues to be endless. I am grateful for the opportunity to have seen her beauty and observe her great example of love.

I was privileged to know Kathy for over 30 years, having hired her to work for the old Civil Service Commission back in October 1972. She struck me then as having great promise, and confirmed that subsequently by her incredible work ethic, determination, and intelligence.



However, while she was a serious person, she brought gaiety and joy to her work as well. She had a great sense of humor, and could be counted on to use it well in helping us all to deal with the day to day problems and frustrations in the work place.



She was a very special person to all her peers and, I must say, to me personally. I will deeply miss her. The little world of work at OPM will be a much less congenial place without her.

I had the honor and privilege of working with Kathy for 10 years at OPM. She was my friend, colleague, and mentor. She certainly had everyone else's needs and futures in mind and helped guide the less experienced of us on staff. I also sit in the cubicle next to Kathy's. It has been hard not having her in the office for months now; and it will be very difficult not having her in the office or part of our program again. She was a unique, caring individual, and I am a much better person for having worked and known Kathy Rabelhofer.

Although I never had the opportunity to meet members of Kathy's family, I feel as though I knew her Mom and Dad, and I know her brother and sisters and their children for her family was her pride and her joy. Oh, how she looked forward to the family reunions in the summer and to reliving with us who worked with her all the wonderful moments you had together.



Kathy will live on in the memories of all those whom she helped and cared about and in the memories of those who simply had the priviledge of knowing her. She was bright, caring, a person of great character and integrity and blessed with an infectuous sense of humor--what a rare and wonderful combination.

I had the privilege of working with Kathy for over twenty years. She was a very special person who always was concerned about others above herself. There is no way to express how much she will be missed by me and by all those whose lives she touched.

OPM has lost one of its best. Kathy was a kind, giving, and talented person. Please accept my deepest sympathy.

My deepest sympathy to all of you. Kathy was a special lady and will be greatly missed by many.

My prayers to you and may the memories of happy times gone by help to ease your pain. God Bless

Love,

Gerri