Kate MacLellan
Gifted soccer player; daughter, sister, friend
By Linda Williams
How should this story begin when it is really about an end to a life of promise? What words could be used to convey the intense sense of loss and sadness felt by the community, whether one knew Kate MacLellan or not? Sometimes words are just not enough. What matters is that it is important to make sure that the community knows that this story is not just about an athlete that died all too soon at the tender age of 17, when life was just beginning. It is a story about a beautiful, talented, lovely young woman who just happened to play soccer.

The Independent file

This is the story about Kate MacLellan, an artist, a graceful dancer, an honor student, and a standout starting varsity soccer player and captain of the team this year. But more importantly, this is the story of a loving daughter to George and Karin, loyal sister to Zoë, Grace and Nora, attentive granddaughter, cousin and niece and a caring friend. As one of Kate's friends said, "Kate was the best friend and a ray of light and we were blessed to have known her." In the words of her father, he was "honored to have known her even for just 17 years." Though a quiet and shy young woman, Kate exuded warmth and was beloved by her peers and teammates. Another student added that "everyone liked Kate."

This is a story of a tight-knit, loyal, loving, caring, involved, supportive and dedicated family who lived and breathed soccer. The joke always was: "The family that played soccer together, stayed together." That is certainly true of the MacLellans, a Nantucket soccer dynasty. Karin, who works in Dr. Butterworth's office, assists the varsity girls' soccer team, nurturing the program from when it was only a club team, then a JV team, and now as the varsity team. George, a popular fourth grade teacher at NES, is a long time supporter of all things soccer on the island and coaches his daughter Nora in the NSSA program. Oldest daughter Zoë, now at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, played on the first school-sanctioned soccer team for girls before graduating from Nantucket High School. This fall daughter Grace, a freshman, made the varsity squad to play alongside her sister Kate, something the entire family was looking forward to for Kate's last year. The sisters' closeness off the field translated into an ability to know where each other was on the field, with the highlight of the season occurring when the sisters combined for the winning goal against Martha's Vineyard a few weeks ago.

This is the story of how the word of Kate's death spread quickly on Thursday night when the soccer teams were called into the school from the field in order to tell the assembled teammates of the tragic and unexpected news. A few minutes later the parents and students in the school for the open house were brought into the auditorium to hear the sad news. The mood was one of shock and disbelief, which still pervaded several days later among classmates and adults with "how could this happen;" being uttered time and again like a mantra. Sometimes, there just is no answer to that question and no way to explain it that will ease the pain.

This is the story about how on Friday there were classes, but the hallways were packed with students just the same, some alone with their heads against the walls, others in small groups and still others huddled together in larger numbers, all trying to make sense of it and grieving together. The school attempted to keep some sense of normalcy but the students were learning true life lessons and a lesson too early learned. No one talked. Despite the numbers of students in the hallways, there was no sound other than crying. There did not seem to be anyone that Kate's life did not touch. Varsity boys' soccer coach Rich Brannigan sat on the bench outside the school visibly shaken. "I am overwhelmed, the kids are overwhelmed. There are no words to describe this. This is a devastating loss for the kids as well as the community."

This is the story about how around noon on Friday, several soccer players could be seen on the field, a place that Kate loved so much, and a place where she was able to shine and leave her troubles behind. The players aimlessly kicked the ball around and sat on the benches with their arms around each other; a bench that usually held Kate's teammates in light blue uniforms. The field seemed to become a place of refuge, of familiarity, of calm and peace. One student described it as a place that they could feel "close to her." It was also like a magnet. By 3 p.m. there were dozens of players on the field and they played for as long as they had daylight, boys and girls playing together. The players would carry this on the next night on Saturday as a way of getting out frustration over the loss. It would prove to be a place of comfort for Kate's parents as well. When they came over to watch the teammates play on Friday, they were enveloped by the players in a warm embrace, shutting out the awful truth for just a brief moment.

This is the story about how on Sunday, over 400 people assembled at the soccer field one more time in Kate's honor to hold a candlelight service for her. The MacLellan family was there in full force, as were friends, classmates, teammates of all the girls, soccer families, and others who may have had no interest in soccer but had been touched by Kate's light. It was a show of support that the Nantucket community is known for when one of its own is in trouble. Kate's friends had spent hours taking multicolored ribbons and fashioning them into 300 bows to hand out to those at the field. Candles were handed out under what had been grey and stormy skies with a stiff breeze blowing. Just as the circle of love and sympathy closed in around the players and family to hear the words that were to be spoken by the family, friends and coaches, the skies cleared and a brilliant sun came out and the wind died down. It was perhaps Kate's way of smiling down from the soccer pitch that she undoubtedly is playing on in a place of peace. Reluctant to leave the comforting circle of support in the middle of the field, it took some time to rally to the cries of, "Can we play soccer now?" from Kate's teammates, a phrase Kate had used herself many times. Dozens of soccer players ranging in age from nine to well past 40 took the field, with six teams playing round-robin, and for the next two hours played for the sheer love of the game and in tribute to Kate. There was a release of tension that only laughter on the field could provide, and it was a good thing for the spectators and players alike.

And finally, this is the story of a bereft community that has lost a bright light. In the words of one of Kate's best friends, Connie McDonough-Thayer: "Kate will live on in all of us. You did not have to know her to feel sad at the loss. In some ways, we will never be the same, but it will get better in time." She added that "Kate was not only beautiful on the outside but also beautiful on the inside." Perhaps Grace MacLellan said it best, in a show of great inner strength, when she expressed so eloquently at the end of the service: "Everyone loved Kate. Kate loved everyone. Love what you have, love your friends, love your family."

This is a story of a life lost too soon, but also a story of hope and life and love for those that are left behind.

The MacLellan Family Fund has been set up to assist the family. Donations may be sent c/o Young's Bicycle Shop, P.O. Box 1229, Nantucket, 02554, or call Ellen Young at 228-4316 for further information. The Nantucket Student Soccer Association has set up a scholarship fund in Kate MacLellan's name at Bank of America. Contributions can be made to PMB 105, 2 Greglen Avenue, Nantucket, 02554, through direct deposit at any Pacific Bank location or by calling Jordi Cabre at 508-280-3268 for further information. In addition, pending approval, there will be a "best ball" nine-hole golf tournament, followed by a buffet and auction, at Miacomet Golf Club on Sunday, October 21, 2007 with funds going to the MacLellan Family Fund. Call Maurice Daniels at 508-221-2564, or Linda Williams at 228-4556 for details.

Again, the community came together to support this family as only the Nantucket community

can do. I