# @wmtribewsoc on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwbk5fbsoeL
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/8378696-wmtribewsoc-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/b5b6b1c6b6.jpg
- **Posted:** 2023-08-27T02:14:18.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** William & Mary Tribe Women's Soccer (@WMTribeWSOC) — https://gondola.cc/WMTribeWSOC

## Caption

Today was an emotional day as Shacks & I headed to Northern Va to attend a Celebration of Life for our dear friend & Tribe teammate, Kathleen McCarthy. 

Kathleen ‘87 and Megan ‘88 were the unstoppable and unforgettable sister duo that defined Tribe soccer in the 80s during our early infancy. They were title IX babies like the rest of us who grew up with a fiercely competitive spirit and were absolutely ecstatic when they arrived at William & Mary to find other young girls from around the country equally as driven and obsessed with soccer as they were. 

Kathleen was as kind and talented and beautiful as they come. No one ever talks about Kathleen without mentioning her radiant smile that lit up every room, and certainly our soccer field each day. Her life was inexplicably cut short at 58 years old to pancreatic cancer with not much warning. 

As Shacks and I made the drive from the Burg to NoVa this AM, I couldn’t help but think how strange it was that we had to miss our own Team training this morning, on the day before our home opener to attend her Celebration. I know for damn sure none of us could have possibly imagined this scenario 35 years ago as kids running around the fields at William & Mary. And just  as all these thoughts were running through my head a picture came through on our texts—from our current team, on the same field space we once shared with Kathleen, holding hands and in the shape of a heart to send their love to us. 💚

The Priest who opened the ceremony spoke of Kathleen’s “dash” of life. He clarified by explaining how gravestones prominently display birth years and death years, yet it’s the simple “dash” between the years, so subdued compared to the bold letters and numbers, is actually the most significant as it represents LIFE and ALL that is between your birth and death. Our sadness today was tempered by all the incredible stories about the life of impact Kathleen led and the countless lives she touched. 

Be sure to make the most of YOUR dash. Be thankful for your Tribe and do your best to spread positivity and love so you can make an impact each day. 

#RIPKathleen
#LiveYourDash
#Tribe4Life

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 664
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## Tags

ripkathleen, liveyourdash, tribe4life

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