Kate Guilford

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kate Guilford who departed this life on January 16, 2025 at the age of 79. Kate was simply an amazing person in so many ways, and she touched the lives of all who knew her with kindness and generosity. Kate's life is marked by her lifelong friendships.

Born December 27, 1945 in Douglas, Georgia, Kate grew up with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for learning and helping others achieve their ideals. She graduated from the University of Georgia, where she majored in Education. She held teaching jobs in Denver and Steamboat Springs but then pursued her calling as a trauma psychotherapist in Boulder, in the tradition of Hakomi Therapy.

Kate built and maintained deep relationships with many people. Whether they were family, friends, home health aides, colleagues, clients, neighbors, or medical professionals, they all made it into her address book, including their birthday. She treated everyone with respect, curiosity and love. She listened and remembered what you had to say from one visit to the next. She cherished every moment spent with her circle of friends.

Kate is survived by her partner of 19 years, Ray McCall of Boulder, Colorado. She is also survived by nieces Sheila Hodges and Lisa Jowers, nephew Keith Guilford, and sister-in-law Audrey Guilford, the family of her late brother, John Milton Guilford who died in 2023. She was preceded in death by her late parents, Norwood F. Guilford and Ethyl Wiggins Guilford of Douglas, Georgia. Also surviving Kate are her cherished lifelong friends, Loy Johnson of Norris, Tennessee, Wanda Bell Culpepper of Athens, Georgia and Van Meeks Dougherty of Tallahassee, Florida.

Kate has lived in Colorado since 1968 and Boulder was her home for most of that time. She loved her house, her little yard and her neighborhood where many of her friends still reside. Kate had a remarkable ability to connect with people, always offering a listening ear and a comforting presence.

Kate was a passionate supporter of the natural world and found her inner peace near the ocean or in the forest. She swam with dolphins and danced in the moonlight and these memories sustained her when she could no longer do those things. She was committed to organizations who fight to protect the environment and to groups that bring peace and harmony to everyday people.

On behalf of Kate, donations can be made in her memory to the Carousel of Happiness, carouselofhappiness.org in Nederland, Colorado.

A celebration of Kate's life will be held in the spring with a picnic and a visit to the Carousel of Happiness.