NAPA - Kathy McCabe, longtime nonprofit advocacy group manager and criminal justice specialist for the State of California, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, after a one-year battle with cancer.

Kathy leaves behind daughter Cassandra McCabe; special friend Jason; mother Agnes McCabe; sisters Judi (Robert), Rita, Sue and Karen; and brothers Dan (Debbie), Kevin and Terry. She also leaves behind nieces Alanna, Alexa, Clare, Jessi and Andria, nephews Curtis and Nicholas, and countless friends and individuals who have both known or have been touched by Kathy.

Kathy was born Sept. 25, 1952, in Lansing, Mich., and moved to California after graduating high school. She worked in San Francisco and Los Angeles as one of the first women in cable TV installation. After living in San Diego for several years, she moved to Napa Valley with her daughter to be closer to family, where she began her quest of helping the vulnerable and in need. She eventually received her BS in business management in 2004.

Kathy spent more than 25 years working for nonprofit advocacy groups, helping ex-offenders, victims of sexual violence, workers’ compensation recipients and those facing homelessness and long-term unemployment. Issues of social justice, helping people who faced an imbalance of power and changing the conditions that allowed injustices to persist were her passion. For Kathy it was never just a job. She felt strongly about providing support and advocacy to those facing challenges that she had experienced firsthand throughout her life.

Kathy had a tight network of friends and family, and her generosity and spirit of helpfulness extended to those closest to her. She was witty with her humor and quick to laugh, and during those many evenings over food, wine, hot tub and sunsets, her presence turned everything and everyone into something better.

Kathy’s memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25, in the chapel of Tulocay Funeral Home, 411 Coombsville Road, Napa.

As president of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance Napa Chapter nonprofit organization, a scholarship trust account has been established in her name there. In lieu of sending any flowers, the family asks that you make a donation instead to the Kathy McCabe Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to the Kathy McCabe Scholarship Fund and mail to DBSA Napa Chapter, 2277 Clear View Circle, Benicia, CA 94510, attention: Brenda Navarro, Executive Director, or you can make a donation at the service.

Words of sympathy may be sent to the family online at www.tulocaycemetery.org.