Catherine ""Kate"" Falaschi

Catherine ""Kate"" Falaschi, age 32, passed away peacefully at home, following a long, courageous fight against colon cancer, on Wednesday, May 6, 2009, with her loving family and friends by her side.   Kate was born on October 18, 1976, the daughter of Victor and Donna (McCannel) Gates in Burbank, CA.   She graduated   with a BS degree from Arizona State.   She moved to Madison, WI in 2001 to pursue graduate studies at the UW. She was united in marriage to Alfred ""Al"" Falaschi on June 1, 2007 at the Monona Terrace, by her father.   Kate was a ""Giver"" and impacted the lives of so many, especially children.   Her devotion to special needs children and adoptions with Lutheran Social Services was her life passion.   Kate was an extremely organized person and a very social person, and had many interests that included travel, scrapbooking, camping, 80's music, reading books, baseball and her Camaro.   She was taken from her family and friends at a very early age, but Kate's memories will live on in each and every one of the lives that she touched.   Kate is survived by her husband Al, her parents; Victor and Donna Gates, her sister Victoria Bartoli, brother; Robert Gates, nephew; Nicolas,   and her four-legged baby, Onyx.   She was preceded in death by her grammie, Dove McCannel.   A Celebration of Kate's life will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Rd., Madison, with a visitation from 2:00 pm until the time of service.   In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to benefit cancer research at the UW Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave., Madison, WI   53792.   The family would like to thank the Pallative Care Team at UW Hospital, UW Oncology, HospiceCare Inc, and the Dean Oncology Nurses for their loving and compassionate care.