Katye Oliver

In the Fall 2008, Kat Manzella, Kate Thornton’s Godmother, became a Spanish tutor for my daughters. Several months later, Kat explained that she was late for tutoring one day due to her Godchild’s hospitalization at Brenner Children’s Hospital. Upon hearing about Kate in the winter of 2009, my daughters and I were determined to pray for this sick little girl. We became connected to the family through their caringbridge.org site, and began dropping needed items by the local hospital to assist the family when Kate was hospitalized. I could not imagine nursing a newborn and caring for a child with cancer during long hospitalizations in addition to coordinating care for three other children who were at home. As I visited and got to know Kate and Susan at the hospital, I became attached to this precious family. Kate was such a bright, thoughtful, insightful child and it was a treat to spend time with her (even when her chemo meds got the best of her and left her grouchy). Through this difficult situation a friendship blossomed between Kat Manzella, Susan Thornton (Kate’s mom) and myself.

Shortly after the announcement that another family would receive the Extreme Home Makeover, of which the Thornton family had been nominated for by a friend in the Winter 2009, many of us believed we could accomplish something similar with our own grassroots home makeover. After months of researching all the possibilities with the family’s current home, renovating another home, etc, we were slammed with the harsh reality in late August 2010 that, instead of coming home to get stronger, Kate was coming home to die. This blind-sided our plans and things changed quickly.

Never in my life, have I seen the amazing hand of God at work like I did from August 23, 2010 - September 5, 2010. There were answers to “impossible” prayers multiple times a day… from last minute childcare for my children, last minute donated furniture and transportation, a highly-qualified lawyer, media connections, people willing to volunteer and/or donate, shoppers for home décor, a person willing to back the loan and a bank willing to work with us, etc. The list could go on and on. What I do know is that God confirmed to Kat and myself, over and over, that we were doing JUST what HE wanted us to do. We had to take a complete leap of faith for,“It is in the ridiculous that God can do the miraculous” (Mother Angelica). Kat and I regularly encouraged each other “With God, ALL things are possible!”… even the CRAZY things! Seriously, to raise enough money to purchase a house in 10 days???!!!! I must say God blessed this project from the start, and He blessed me with the privilege of being an intimately-involved person with the Thornton family, this project, growing friendships with Kat and other volunteers, and an re-awakening of the deep desire to serve others in need. It has been a lot of hard work, but it has been worth the reward of knowing that one little girl was able to spend her last days with her family, under one roof. I look forward to seeing how Kate’s legacy will live on in this newly-created, all-volunteer Kisses4Kate 501c3 organization.

Blessings,

Katherine Stuart Bane Oliver

Kisses4Kate, Director of Projects

“Katye” Oliver is a family friend of the Thorntons. She is originally from Virginia and moved to the Piedmont Triad in 1998 with her husband. Currently, Katye is a stay-at-home mom with her three daughters. She has previous work experience as a Director of Volunteer Services for a hospice and for a Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter and also as a pastoral administrator. It has always been her desire to “make a difference” in the lives of others and to use her God-given talents to serve where He calls her.