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