Remembering Katie

During the summer, we lost our friend and colleague, Katie Aitkin-McDermott.

Katie embodied the values of the Rural Design Centre and played a vital role in building the organisation from its earliest days.

In both her professional and personal life, she was always looking for ways to support others and improve the places where communities live.

The team has been deeply touched by the messages of support and personal reflections shared by those whose lives Katie influenced.

Many have recalled how she took the time to listen and engage with people in a positive, constructive way.

She treated everyone with respect and made sure they felt included throughout the process.

Katie will be deeply missed by her family, friends and colleagues, as well as by the many communities she supported.

Katie has been laid to rest in a woodland burial at Hexham Cemetery.

Donations are welcomed for St Oswald’s Hospice in memory of Katie.

Thoughts and comments from friends and colleagues

Katie was always so warm, supportive and passionate about the Rural Durham Community Research Network. Her encouragement and enthusiasm made a real difference to our experience as community researchers, and I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with her through the network.

She played such an important part in bringing people together and making the network a success. Her contribution and the positive impact she had on so many people will not be forgotten.

— Suzanne

Thanks so much for your email and for letting me know. When I first read your email, I was reminded immediately of the warmth and support I and the rest of the community researchers received from Katie whenever we interacted with her. I didn't know Katie well, but she was an incredible presence in and around the project, from the very first day when she interviewed me for the project videos, then sat on my table at the welcome event at TCR Hub, our wonderful day in Manchester, and every moment between.

She was a vibrant and magnetic person, and I know she is and will be sorely missed - Yvonne and I caught up today and we talked about the energy and enthusiasm she inspired in the work of those around her, and I hope that the network can continue on that legacy in her name. I would also like to pass on my condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and anybody else who had the privilege of working with or knowing Katie, and I hope you're taking care of yourself too, as I'm sure this must be an emotional time for you. 

I hope when we see each other next at the launch event, we have the opportunity to remember Katie together, and that the memories we have of her can fuel our passion for our work, the people around us, and the issues that matter to them.

— Jay

Katie’s energy and commitment to this work was so clear and I am sure she was hugely inspirational for the researchers she worked with. Her good humour and optimism was always evident and I am sure you are all feeling her loss very deeply.

— Damien

Such a lovely person with a vibrant approach to life.  I am very glad to have known her and will miss my friend.

— Robert