Friends Remember Kathy Szuhai (1984 – 2007)

22 year-old UT alumna Kathy Szuhai was killed in an auto accident March 25 in Kissimmee, Florida.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, a Kia heading northbound collided with the left side of Szuhai’s Saturn Ion as she was heading westbound through an intersection. Szuhai was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Both vehicles were totaled in the accident.

Katlin Szuhai, better known as Kathy, graduated with a bachelors in Psychology in 2006 and left a lasting impression with those who knew her during her time at the University.

“She was my best friend.”

One of Szuhai’s closest friends was fellow Delta Zeta member and UT alumna Nina Bac. Bac created a memorial for Szuhai Facebook.

“I met Kathy my sophomore year,” she recalled. “From the beginning, she had a beautiful smile, a great personality and a kind heart … she was just that person that lit up the room by being in it.”

“My senior year, Kathy and I lived together in ResCom with two other ladies. We were roommates and best friends. She was the best person to go to for advice. She listened to your problems and was always there when you needed her,” Bac explained. “Kathy was fun loving, outgoing and approachable in every aspect.”

According to Bac, Szuhai’s mother passed away from cancer during her junior year.

“Kathy still smiled, still acted positive and still lived [her] life,” Bac said.

Bac also discussed how Szuhai kept friendships with her other best friends Deidre Barry, who still lives in Tampa, and Jenny Luis, who has moved back to New Jersey since graduation. Barry also created a Myspace memorial for Szuhai.

“We would talk every day,” Bac explained. “Distance didn’t change our relationship. We visited each other at least twice a month … and kept our bond as friends strong.”

When asked about a favorite time she shared with Szuhai, Bac had a difficult time pinpointing one instance.

“All the memories I have with Kathy are my favorite,” she said. “All the memories I have with her I will not forget. She has made me a stronger, more confident person and a better friend.” However, she was able to relate one story.

“I am in no way spontaneous,” Bac admitted. “I like to live life by the rules, and Kathy has showed me there isn’t anything wrong [with being] spontaneous.”

“Her senior year in Tampa, Kathy lived off campus. During my visit to her, we decided to go to the community pool at 9 a.m.,” she explained. “Kathy didn’t have the key because another roommate had it, so she got me to climb over a high fence and helped me on the way down … with Kathy, wherever you were was a good time. She made you laugh like no other person, and she made you feel comfortable just by being her friend.”

As for what inspired her to create the memorials, Bac was quick to answer.

“Just a month ago, my best friend from New York … lost her cousin in a tragic shooting in Arizona. The cousin … had an older sister who joined Facebook to keep in touch with her sister’s friends and created a group … so that her friends can post memories and kind thoughts.

“Kathy … loved Myspace and Facebook, [and] I figured [that] not making a Facebook group for Kathy wouldn’t be right. Kathy deserved the best in her life, and she deserves the best from the people she loved as well … I created this site not to represent me but to represent her. I want people from all walks of her life to know what a great person she was, how she radiated positive energy, how big her heart was … Kathy shouldn’t be forgotten. I know she will stay with me for the rest of my life, so why not celebrate her with everyone as well?”

“I can’t articulate how great of a person Kathy really was.”

Even casual acquaintances felt a bond with Szuhai.

“I met Kathy through Nina,” said UT alumnus Travis Abercrombie. “Being that UT is a medium-sized campus, you tend to become familiar with the faces … I always saw her as I was heading to the gym, [since] she worked there. She always had a smile on her face and was eager to help whenever students needed it.”

Abercrombie recalled a specific story where he was able to get a better grasp of who Szuhai really was.

“Kathy and I really bonded [this one] night we went out to IHOP. [There were] about five of us, and we entered around 2:30 a.m. and left around 5:00 a.m. Kathy and I shared stories about our undergraduate days at UT, our respective Greek organizations, relationships and our faith.

“The worst thing is that I can’t articulate how great of a person Kathy really was,” Abercrombie said. “I didn’t get to spend a lot of quality time with her, but from the time that I did, I can honestly say I walked away a better person … I only wish I could have spent more time with her.”

Another Delta Zeta alumna and recent graduate Dayna Perry remembers Szuhai fondly as well.

“Kathy is in my sorority Delta Zeta. I met her my freshman year of college. I graduated with her in 2006,” Perry recalled. “My favorite drive back home to NJ from Tampa was with Kathy. We had a great time … lots of laughs, singing and talks. She was the kind of person you could call up and talk to about anything … she had an amazing heart and always had a good time … I don’t think I have a memory with Kathy where I wasn’t smiling.”

Numerous others have posted thoughts and memories on the wall of the Facebook memorial.

“Kathy was always a role model for me and my pledge class,” posted junior and Delta Zeta member Marie Burns. “Her bond with Nina, Deidre and Ashley was what we all hope to find in Delta Zeta.”

UT alumnus and Delta Gamma member Neuza Herminio posted her thoughts as well.

“[Szuhai] was an amazing person … she will be missed and never forgotten. She was funny, sweet, hard working and an amazing friend.”

The Facebook site can be reached at http://ut.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2259542312.

As of press time, 207 people have joined the Facebook memorial and 97 have joined the Myspace memorial.