Kathleen Welsh Hadfield

On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Kathleen Welsh Hadfield (née Baker) age 76, passed away peacefully in her sleep.

She leaves behind her husband, John Raymond Hadfield, daughter Frances Pierson Hadfield, son-in-law Todd K. Kickbusch, and grandson Gavin. She also leaves behind a legacy of resilience and determination. She fought glioblastoma, a disease that also took her mother, Frances Cecilia Baker (née Braier) when she was just 14-years-old.

Kathleen’s life was a testament to the power of education and hard work. The first in her family to attend college, she also earned two master’s degrees and inspired countless students during her 30-year teaching career. After retiring at 55, she began learning Spanish and John and Kathleen embarked on travels around the world. Exploring China, New Zealand, Peru, the Arctic Circle and Europe, they also introduced their grandson to traveling by train, which took them on adventures across the country. Her life is a reminder that challenges can be overcome, and every day holds the opportunity for growth and exploration.

In lieu of a memorial service, her family invites you to honor her memory with a donation to https://www.gbmresearch.org/donate, supporting their groundbreaking research.

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