Kathryn’s Story
This space is dedicated to celebrating the life and spirit of Kathryn Deneroff, whose journey through cancer was marked not just by the challenges she faced, but by the incredible resilience, joy, and love she shared along the way. Below, you will find snapshots and stories from different phases of her journey, from the initial diagnosis to the cherished moments spent with loved ones, offering a window into the vibrancy with which she lived every moment.
Kathryn’s story is shared with the hope that it not only honors her memory, but also inspires others to support cancer research. Please consider donating to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to give others the precious gift of time, the chance for more stories like Kathryn’s to unfold and carry forward her legacy of hope and courage.
Explore Kathryn’s journey year by year by clicking on the entries below. Each section unfolds her story, capturing moments of challenge, triumph, and joy through words and images. For a closer look, click on any thumbnail to launch the gallery in fullscreen mode, where you can immerse yourself in the vivid details of her journey, honor Kathryn’s memory and celebrate her enduring spirit and the beauty of her life’s moments.
2019 - Initial diagnosis and Chemo
2019 brought a mix of challenge and joy for Kathryn. Despite facing a tough diagnosis in April and then beginning chemotherapy and enduring four surgeries, the year was also filled with moments of love and support. Kathryn stood beside her friends as a bridesmaid, explored Newport with Sid, and found joy in simple pleasures. From learning to walk again, to enjoying music during treatment, Kathryn found genuine moments of resilience, friendship, and love. The difficult days of treatment were brightened by visits from dear friends and cherished family gatherings. From celebrating Thanksgiving, carving pumpkins, and reveling in the warmth of Christmas with her parents, brother, and Sid, each moment was a reminder of the strength found in togetherness.2020 - Recovery and Adventure
As 2020 dawned, Kathryn marked a significant milestone by completing her first round of chemotherapy in January. Soon after, the world shifted into the quiet of lockdown. Amidst the isolation, Kathryn turned to nature and wellness as her sanctuary; embracing walking, biking, and exercise to rebuild her strength. A long car journey back to her family home in Michigan became a retreat, where cooking, enjoying backyard marshmallows, and playing board games became fun activities. Summer and fall of 2020 were filled with sunshine, the outdoors, adventure and laughter. There were many big milestones: a first hike post surgery in Massachusetts (Mt Tom State Reservation), kayaking in the Charles, picnicking at Spectacle Island, Apple picking in Northborough, camping in Conway, and visiting Maine with her parents. Winter also heralded the joyful arrival of Sadie, her mom's cavapoo!2021 - Spring, Recurrence and Surgery
The year kicked off with winter hikes and snowshoeing adventures, a celebration of her birthday, the captivating beauty of sunsets, the first thaw of winter and the colorful spring tulip blooms.At work
By the lake
Candid Nap Snap
Coffee and Sunshine
Enjoying sunset
Flowers
Happy Birthday
Harvard Coffee
Lake Views
Margaret and Rachel
Radiant Smile
Sun and Drinks
Tennis
Tulip Farm
Tulips before chemo
Winter Hiking
Winter Snowshoe
more flowers
with Sid
Brookline Reservoir
Chemo Round Two
Christmas Games
Christmas Tree
Christmas Wig
Detroit Zoo
Flowers in Cambridge
Gazing at Infinity
Hiking with Family
It was Cold
Michigan Dunes
Michigan Sand Dunes
More Sadie
Out Hiking
PT was tough
Recovering
Reds Eats
Sadie 2
Sadie Birthday
Sadie Joy
Sadie
Sand and Sea
Sleeping with Sadie
Sunshine with Sid
Waterfalls with Sid
Waterfalls
Wine Tasting
Wingspan
Winter Dune Hiking
with Sid
2022 - Traveling the World
The second round of chemo, radiation and surgery gifted Kathryn an additional period of good health. As always, she was determined to make full use of this time. This year she traveled the world!Yosemite & Muir Woods
In January, she visited Sid in California to spend a few months with him visiting Yosemite for her birthday, then Muir Woods, Point Reyes, Point Lobos and Carmel Valley.Amongst Giants
Chimney Rock
Mill Valley
Pebble Beach
Point Lobos
Point Reyes
Sea Lion Picinic
Snowshoeing
Sunset Hike
Wine Tasting
Wine and Flowers
Yosemite
Athens & Santorini
Kathryn also planned a very special trip to Athens & Santorini in April.Acropolis at Night
Agean Sunset
Double Coffee
Fia to Oia 2
Field of Flowers
Fira to Oia
Fira
Freddo Capuccino
Greece Flowers
Greek Streets
More Flowers
Naxos
Olympic Stadium
On a Boat
Parthenon
Santorini Hike
Sunset
Wine and Views
Singapore
Kathryn also visited Sid's parents all the way in Singapore in July!Changi Airport
Digital Waterfall
Flower Garden
Garden
Helix
Prize Flowers
Singapore Skyline
Singapore
Turkish Balloon Bread
Yolo
more Flowers
with family of Sid
Other Snippets
The rest of the year was filled with various hikes, activities and adventures in California, Washington, New Hampshire and Western Massachusetts.Airbnb and Coffee
Anniversary Date
Beach Yoga
Bridge of Flowers
California Coast Biking
Christmas with Family
Christmas with Pups
Coffee by the Sea
Cuddles with Sadie
Fall Colors
Fall Hiking
Filoli Garden 1
Filoli Garden 2
Filoli Garden 3
Half Moon Bay Biking
Holiday Party 2
Holiday Party
MFA with Suzie
More Fall Colors
New Hampshire Hiking
Ocean Dip
Seattle Snowshoeing
Seattle Winter Hike
Seattle with Sid
Western Mass Hike
With Michael 2
deCordova Museum
with Michael
xmas dinner
2023 - Tuscon, Willow and Treatment
After a week hiking with her friends, Kathryn traveled to California to spend the early part of 2023 with Sid, along with a quick trip to Tuscon to celebrate her birthday!Big Cactus
Coffee in Tuscon
Filoli Again
Flowers and Sun
Flowers
Gems Festival
Kathryn and Sunset
Ladies Hiking
Many Cacti
Mexican Food
Saguaro Park
Sunset at Saguaro
Superbloom
Wildflower superbloom
with Aileen
Coffee and Willow
First Family Pic
Kisses for Mama
Mama and Willow
Meeting Willow
Park with Willow
Puppy Walk
Tired family
Willow and Wine
Willow and mama
4th of July
4th on the Charles
5 year anniversary
Aileen Birthday
All the Dogs 2
All the Dogs
Bachelorette
Barre Class
Cape Cod Beach
Cape Cod Sunset
Cape Cod
Christmas Pups
Christmas in Seattle
DW Field
Family Pic 1
Family Pic 2
Farm Icecream
Hiking with Sid
Lincoln Woods
Outdoor Pup
Proud Parent
Spaghetti and meatballs
Sunset at Tiverton
Sunshine and snacks
with Hannah
with Kelsey