In the early morning of April 20, 2023, we lost a dear friend and passionate advocate for the vulnerable elderly on the North Shore. Diagnosed with a glioblastoma in November 2022, Kate Van Demark died leaving her friends and family to carry on with her memory. Many of us followed her illness through the blog her husband Peter kept faithfully as he cared for her.
Providing support to elders so that they could remain independent and remain in their own homes or residence of their choice was a tenet that Kate took seriously.
Kate’s own experience in her last illness mirrored those beliefs. She was hospitalized initially, but with the support of her husband and hospice caregivers, she was able to remain in her own home where she wanted to be. Kate leaves us with the inspiration to carry on the work to which she was so dedicated, and I hope you will join us.
At the suggestions of friends of Kate, and with the full support of her husband Peter, SeniorCare is establishing the Dr. Kate Van Demark Fund. Because Kate had a particular interest in development and was indefatigable in suggesting opportunities for donor support, we believe she would be pleased to be remembered through this fund.
Fellow Board members and the staff of SeniorCare are so grateful to Kate for her leadership, guidance, and mentoring. Kate was a bright light reflecting SeniorCare’s mission, and brought her experience as a physician who specialized in geriatric care to the work. Kate served as both Co-President and Corporate Clerk during her tenure as a member of the Board of SeniorCare from 2015 to 2023. I was honored to serve with her.
Since 1972, SeniorCare has been serving the North Shore communities of Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Topsfield, and Wenham. Our mission is to ensure that our clients live independently and with dignity at home, are safe, have enough to eat, and remain part of their communities.
Kate believed in SeniorCare’s mission and invested her personal resources and her time and many gifts to the community served.
SeniorCare assists more than 5,500 individuals each month with their daily needs. With the support of generous people like you SeniorCare provides them with essential services including Home Care, Nutrition, Protective Services, and Caregiver Support to name just a few.
With gratitude and fond memories of Kate,
Thomas E. Sullivan, M.D.
President, SeniorCare Inc. Board of Directors
P.S. Your gift in memory of Kate will help SeniorCare continue the work she believed in.