May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
So sorry to hear of your loss. May you find some peace and comfort in your memories. Our prayers are with you thru this difficult time.
Love, Aunt Donna, Bill & Janna
Love, Aunt Donna, Bill & Janna
This memorial website was created in memory of our wonderful Kate.
Many people have sent very special condolence notes. Please feel free to post those notes here as well so that we can share them, or to leave other notes.
We have posted a lot of pictures of Kate that we had digitized on Terence's computer. Please post your photos as well - try to indicate dates. Brandon, Allegra and Terence will also be adding to this site over the next few weeks so please check back from time to time.
We are having a small service here in England. We will arrange for a memorial in the US later this year.
In lieu of flowers, I know Kate would have deeply apppreciated gifts in her name to Barnard College (Class of 1973) in support of student scholarships.
We will remember her forever.
Tributes
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May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
My most vivid memory of of Kate Dwyer is showing up on her doorstep after a camping trip, tired, and filthy. I was meant to visit one of her children who had yet to arrive, but she welcomed me in, offered me food and company. I was able to clean up, nap, and was given a book to read (which I still have). Her kindness that day always stuck in my mind. I don't think I had even met her before that day, but a friend of her kids was a friend of hers. I am so sorry for the loss of her. I know how much she meant to those she held dear.
May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
Terence, Brandon and Allegra -
I feel so lucky that I had a chance to not only meet Kate but to spend some really wonderful times with her as I got to join you on your travels. She was such a special woman.
I'm thinking of you all and sending you love.
-Ashley
I feel so lucky that I had a chance to not only meet Kate but to spend some really wonderful times with her as I got to join you on your travels. She was such a special woman.
I'm thinking of you all and sending you love.
-Ashley
May 27, 2016
May 27, 2016
We have such fond memories of a vital woman/family.
Such good neighbor(s) back in the day.
Our condolences.
Leon and Tamara Schneider
Such good neighbor(s) back in the day.
Our condolences.
Leon and Tamara Schneider
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
I met Kate only a few times and knew her as "Brandon's mom". The last time I talked to her was over Skype where she was showing me the family's Michigan house and I remember what a happy place it was--something that embodied family. Kate was an amazing woman - intelligent, driven, kind, funny. I remember her as such a put together woman able to put all of herself into family, travel, adventure, scholarship all at once and she is the kind of woman that I aspire to be. She is a role model. She is widely loved and will be deeply missed. She passed before it was her time but it is so evident that she lived a life saturated with love and experience.
Much love to the Blackburn-Dwyer family,
Yuanyuan
Much love to the Blackburn-Dwyer family,
Yuanyuan
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
I remember Kate so well from the time she was teaching at Seton Hall Law School. She was so smart and articulate and seemed to be good at everything. Her home was always beautifully appointed. She and Terrance gave wonderful parties. My wife and I were so disappointed when they moved from Montclair.
It seems impossible to believe that she is gone. We were looking forward to them returning to the East and interacting with her again. She will be missed by many.
John
It seems impossible to believe that she is gone. We were looking forward to them returning to the East and interacting with her again. She will be missed by many.
John
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
I will always remember Kate for her wonderful and sparkling personality, her glorious and fearless sense of adventure, and her loving devotion to her family. We are all diminished by her passing.
To Terence, Allegra and Brandon, I am so very, very sorry.
Your old friend from Seton Hall,
Denis
To Terence, Allegra and Brandon, I am so very, very sorry.
Your old friend from Seton Hall,
Denis
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
Kate, what a vibrant light to the world! As a former nanny who knew the family nanny...(Linda Kalt) ...I can tell you I was able to share days with one of Kates most prized possessions...her children! We always had so much fun. Brandon and Allegra are a reflection of Kate and Terry and I know they will live on in their mom's memory with spirit and courage. I remember the beautiful home they shared in Montclair. At one point it was featured in a magazine with the kids baking cookies. A sweet snapshot of the good old days and the memories that linger till we are all together again. Rest in gentle peace, Kate Dwyer♡
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
I did not know Ms. Dwyer but I do know that she was a very special person because she raised such an amazing son. Please accept my deepest sympathies and I will continue to pray for your family. She will always be with you.
Lisa
Lisa
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
After only meeting her once I am still so touched my her kindness wisdom and spirit. I know this is a difficult time but my deepest sympathies and empathy to th entire Blackburn-Dwyer family and friends. Love Jessica.
May 26, 2016
May 26, 2016
Kate was brilliant. Just brilliant. I asked for her comments during a lunch regarding a LLM (masters) program in EU Commercial Law that I was setting up. She set it up for me in the course of a few minutes. Such a brilliant performance - it warms the heart to remember. She was kind and smart and beautiful, and boy did she love Terence. It was a pleasure and a privilege to know her. And cool, too. Not only what she and Terence did (legal reform in the most difficult places), but her vacations were as interesting as can be. Was happy to share a couple with her and Terence. My condolences.
May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Such sad and terrible news. I feel so lucky to have gotten to know Kate from work in Egypt and around the world with ABA. Warm, funny and told it like it is. One truly unique, outgoing and strong woman. She will be missed.
My heart goes out to Terrance and the family.
Marcia
My heart goes out to Terrance and the family.
Marcia
May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Dear Dean Blackburn and family,
Kate's beauty, intelligence, kindness and love touched everyone who knew her. I am so grateful and honored to have known her, even if just a short while. Kate's spirit will live on in each of us, especially her wonderful family. My love to you.
Her smile radiates
A sunflower shining bright
Bringing joy to all
Kate's beauty, intelligence, kindness and love touched everyone who knew her. I am so grateful and honored to have known her, even if just a short while. Kate's spirit will live on in each of us, especially her wonderful family. My love to you.
Her smile radiates
A sunflower shining bright
Bringing joy to all
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
Dear Terence, Brandon, and Allegra, May you experience the treasure of family and friends in this time of grief. Terence, your love for Kate and her love for you is an inspiration for all of us to take note, to savor each of our days as a gift. I appreciate how Kate loved and lived life. That's the way I want to live as well. Grace and peace to each one of you.
With love and prayers,
John
With love and prayers,
John
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
We had so happy and lovely memories together. Kate was such a kind and sweet person.
We will always love and remember you
Ghada, Kamal, Jessy and Joe
We will always love and remember you
Ghada, Kamal, Jessy and Joe
May 24, 2016
May 24, 2016
Our deepest sympathies.
-Scott Bonivich & Natalie Gephart
-Scott Bonivich & Natalie Gephart
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Terence,
My heart is with your and your family during this time. I enjoyed knowing Kate when you were here at MSU Law. She was an amazing woman and teacher! She touched so many lives all over the world.
May God bless you and comfort you.
Theresa Allen
My heart is with your and your family during this time. I enjoyed knowing Kate when you were here at MSU Law. She was an amazing woman and teacher! She touched so many lives all over the world.
May God bless you and comfort you.
Theresa Allen
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Dear Mr. Blackburn and Family. I am deeply saddened by the tragic news. I am so sorry to hear about Kate death. Remembering her wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts.May she rest in peace!
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
It is an understatement to merely write, "Kate is amazing". There are no words adequate enough to express what she meant to us. Kate gave me my first lesson in "Presentation is everything." I love how detailed she was when hosting parties. I love how she made everyone feel special. I love the countless hours she spent mentoring me on life, love, and adventure. I love how she could turn any mundane topic into something magnificent. I remember one afternoon, she and I spent hours chatting about her gorgeous silk scarf collection. I love her sense of humor and wit. She was absolutely stunning, inside and out. I will be forever grateful for knowing her. I can't believe she's gone. There is so much more I still need her to teach me. My only regret is not spending more time with her. She will always be in our hearts, and I will always remember her as a wonderful, sweet, breath of fresh air.
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Terry, you and Kate seemed to be the perfect match from the beginning. She helped to shape the strong, dedicated and adventurous man you are today and partnered with you to create an amazing life for your family. She clearly influenced you Allegra and Brandon to face life's challenges and opportunities with boldness, energy and fearlessness --yet to create and find joy in the small things of everyday life-- just as she did. She quickly became a faithful member of the Fornof Clan and we grieve with you. May you draw on her strength as you face the days ahead.
May 23, 2016
May 23, 2016
Tragic news, Terence. Our thoughts are with you.
On my first day in Michigan where my wife had just taken a position a Research Librarian at Michigan State Law School, I introduced myself to Kate Dwyer because her bio showed that she had spent time in the Former Soviet Union where we had just lived for eight years. After a long, pleasant chat Kate said, you should meet the Dean. She introduced me to Terence, not mentioning that she was married to him! Terence recognized me from Columbia Law school decades earlier and asked if I would like to teach.
Terence, I am still having fun teaching at MSU Law 12 years later. All thanks to Kate. I shall never forget her and how she led me to this great career at MSU.
Again, our sincere condolences.
Bruce
On my first day in Michigan where my wife had just taken a position a Research Librarian at Michigan State Law School, I introduced myself to Kate Dwyer because her bio showed that she had spent time in the Former Soviet Union where we had just lived for eight years. After a long, pleasant chat Kate said, you should meet the Dean. She introduced me to Terence, not mentioning that she was married to him! Terence recognized me from Columbia Law school decades earlier and asked if I would like to teach.
Terence, I am still having fun teaching at MSU Law 12 years later. All thanks to Kate. I shall never forget her and how she led me to this great career at MSU.
Again, our sincere condolences.
Bruce
May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016
I am so sad to learn of the passing of my beautiful flower-girl from my wedding in 1955. She was so beautiful then and became even more beautiful with a wonderful family. Please accept my condolences and love during this difficult time.
Love,
Cynthia Farrell Soltan
Love,
Cynthia Farrell Soltan
May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016
Terence,Allegra,Brandon our sympathy to you. May you find peace and comfort in the wonderful memories of your wife and mother thru this tragic loss in your life. God Bless you all. Aunt Kathy and Uncle Duane
May 22, 2016
May 22, 2016
Eileen and I will always remember Kate with fondness and gratitude for her warmth, grace, and friendship. We enjoyed our times together with her and Terence. Two personalities that fit together so very well. Now, she has graduated from mortality. We look forward to getting caught up when we meet again. In the meantime, we will miss her, and we will continue to enjoy our association with our dear friend, her companion, Terence.
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
I’ve been tossing and turning off & on since Friday, when I got the news. It’s so incredibly sad—and—it’s such a violently wrong way for our dear friend to be snatched from us. We were robbed from gently letting her slip her bounds, when she gave so much to those she befriended and served; and when she had turned her passion and energy into being a wonderful Grandmother and wife/companion after all those solo months in parts-unknown.
Marian
Marian
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
Terence,Allegra,Brandon
I just met Kate this
year and enjoyed every minute of it
She is truly a lovely lady. I am so very sorry for your loss
May she rest in peace
I just met Kate this
year and enjoyed every minute of it
She is truly a lovely lady. I am so very sorry for your loss
May she rest in peace
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
We cannot find the words to adequately describe how sorry we are for the Blackburn-Dwyer family loss and how sad we are to lose our dear friend Kate. She has been our spectacular friend, as well as travel and dining companion for over 20 years. The conversations, stories, debates and joyful adventures that we have shared will be forever cherished. She was a generous spirit who enriched the lives of everyone she touched. Love, Tracy and John
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
The shocking news has found me!!! I can not believe!!!! It's impossible to imagine!!! Katrine! Our dearest, wisest, kindest, so active, so clever, so alive is not with us any more! I have no words to describe all the depth of grief in my soul!!! How can it be? She always struggled for the justice, but the life has become so unjustful for her!!! And for all of us because of this tragedy!!!
We all love her and for al of us she is still alive and will be in our hearts and minds forever! RIP, our dear Katrine!!!
We all love her and for al of us she is still alive and will be in our hearts and minds forever! RIP, our dear Katrine!!!
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
Kate and I have been friends for 40 years. She has always been a bright star in my life, full of happiness, good cheer, wisdom and wit. She will always be in my heart and her smile in my lasting memory will always cause me to smile in kind. Kate was a wonderful, loving sole and I shall miss her deeply. Les
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
Love,
Aunt Alice and Ron
Love,
Aunt Alice and Ron
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
Our deepest sympathies, Mickey & Stella Isbir
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
There is no word that can express how sorry I am to hear about the death of our beloved Kate.I was very stunned to hear this news and still can't believe that it really happened and that she died so unexpectedly. Kate was a very thoughtful and wonderful person. I will never forget those great moments I had while she was here in Tunis. I will miss Kate, and I will cherish all the happy memories I had with her. During this difficult moment, my thoughts and prayers are always with you and please, be strong in these tough moments of your life. Please, accept my sincere and deepest condolences to you and to your family.
May Kate rest in peace,
May Kate rest in peace,
May 21, 2016
May 21, 2016
Kate was a wonderful, a great Lady and my best friend! I will remember her forever. Kate was very elegant, kind, lovely, wholehearted, generous, unique and exceptional. In a word, she was a very sweet and an awesome great Lady.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
October 23, 2022
October 23, 2022
Thinking Kate and Terence and family with great affection today. Many lovely memories of a spectacular and kind person.
Corinne
Corinne
May 12, 2021
May 12, 2021
The girls miss you. They talk of you often. You would love seeing them be moms to their sweet kids. As I go through old photo albums, I share the photos of your family with Allegra, Megan and Christine. You are greatly missed.
October 24, 2020
October 24, 2020
This reminder put me in Kate memory mode all day today. Browsing old pix, thinking of the fun we had in College, and knowing that this election season, there would have been so many threads of discussion we'd debate together, as always: packing the court....the electoral college.... the impeachment....the NPV movement (workaround to the electoral college).....Southern District Court's pending suits....."his" perp walk--and for what.....the Follow the Money discussions.....and on and on and on......Kate would have had a field day parsing all this, and working the issues with all those in her swirl. I miss her much, and know she's watching with interest. Kate--we'll discuss these and many other issues to come, but for now, you're in our thoughts and know we miss you. Marian
Gallery
Kate--the Movie Buff
Kate, with Terence, Tom, and Marian at Stratford, CAN, June 2015
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Kate and Terence, Rhona and Song September 2007 Beijing
This was the Kate I was looking forward to accompanying on travels, once we were both finally retired. Missing her with fondness. Marian Sabety
Terry Dwyer, Kate, Nick, Megan and Christine at Nick and Megan Tackmann's July 2010 wedding.
Terry, Megan, Nick and Kate at Nick and Megan Tackmann's July 2010 wedding.
Recent stories
Kate--the Movie Buff
May 13, 2019
Kate introduced me to the love of movies (I grew up in a household that poo-poo'd movies), and had not seen more than 2 movies until I got to Barnard. On the first dorm movie night, she announced that I must go with her--you'll love it........
With that, she turned me into a movie buff--though, nowhere close to her in breadth, in depth, and in scope. When Tom and I saw Wait Until Dark 10 days ago, as part of a revisit to Audrey Hepburn movies, I pined for that evening, and all that followed with Kate.
Kate as we remember her
January 28, 2017
by Song LU
My wife Rhona and I first met Terence and Kate in 1998 when Terence was teaching at China Foreign Affairs University as a Fulbright professor (I was a Fulbright scholar to the United States during 1995-1996). Allegra and Brandon stayed with their parents in Beijing at a university campus apartment near ours for a whole semester while Terence was teaching.
Our friendship started since then and after 1998 we met Kate and Terence at least twice in Beijing and once in the US at their home.
Kate was such a nice person and we will always remember her.
Song
Keukenhof, the Netherlands
June 5, 2016
On 26 April, visit to the Keukenhof, the Netherlands.