College Remembers Beloved Athletic Trainer Kerry Garrett
Photo credit: gettysburgsports.com
By Noelle Zimmerman, Co-Features Editor and Elizabeth Hilfrank, Co-Sports Editor
Kerry Garrett died at age 40 in her home on November 16, 2017.
Garrett was diagnosed with, cholangiocacinoma, a form of liver bile duct cancer in June of 2016.
She served as a member of Gettysburg College’s Athletic Training staff, and everyone who knew her loved her.
Throughout her year-and-a-half battle with the disease, Garrett continued to work. She strived to help others despite her own setbacks.
Garrett worked with all 24 varsity sports since her return to Gettysburg in the fall of 2007 and served as a CPR and first-aid certifier as well.
Five years prior, Garrett had served Gettysburg’s soccer, basketball and men’s lacrosse programs in the athletics training room.
Garrett’s service was held in the on-campus chapel Sunday. Family, friends, faculty, students, and athletes all attended.
Many sports teams came together to mourn the loss of someone who helped them so much.
The loss was felt across campus, as Sunday proved to be a somber day.
Garrett shed so much light on the lives of everyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
She was a wife and a mother of two. Her husband Matt, who is the head coach of the women’s soccer team, talked at the service about how he hopes that their two daughters, Isabella and Charlotte, will grow up to be just like their mother.
Garrett will forever remind us to live, love, and appreciate every single moment that we are blessed with.
To Kerry: We will miss you so much, and we promise we will embrace the energy that you created for us for the rest of our lives. Thank you for every single amazing thing that you did for the world.
One of Garrett’s favorite quotes was “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” said by Abraham Lincoln. Those who knew Garrett will strive to live under this motto as well.
Many of Garrett’s closest friends spoke about her at her service. They told stories of how, when they first met Kerry, they immediately wanted to be her best friend. They told stories of the hilarious pranks she pulled, the funny things she said, and the amazing friendship she provided. Garrett’s family members reflected upon how caring, hard working, talented, optimistic, and tough she was.
All of these speeches brought tears to the eyes of almost every audience member.
Before she passed away, Garrett wrote a farewell message to be read at her service. In this message, she explained how energy cannot be destroyed. She said that although she may be gone, her energy will always remain in the happy moments in life from a simple sunny day or at a wedding.
She asked that as the letter is read that every audience member turn to each other and give either a hug or a handshake.
For Kerry, we must embrace the magnificent energy that she has left for us. She remains an inspiration and so much more.
