Dr. Katherine Luke

This was an email I received a few days ago about a wonderful person who I've only met twice but will remember always for her bright smile and amazing personality. She was recently diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer - the same terrible form that my dear friend and former soccer coach's wife, Carrie Leaney, also suffered from. Katherine will be dearly missed by many as a friend, mother, and wife but her spirit will live on in her memories and through her beautiful children. If you so desire, please consider contributing to her children's educational trust fund.
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Dr. Katherine Luke, a graduate of Macalester College and a recent PhD in the Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Sociology at the University of Michigan, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Saturday, September 12. Katherine shone personally and intellectually, leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of the many friends and colleagues who loved, respected, and admired her.

Two weeks ago, Katherine was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive and rare cancer. After finding out the cancer was quite advanced and had metastasized to other organs, Katherine began chemotherapy on Friday, September 11. This Saturday morning, Katherine passed away.

A memorial service and celebration of Katherine’s life will be held at the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Ann Arbor today, September 15th, at 2pm. All are welcome to attend to honor our amazing friend. The First Unitarian Universalist Congregation is located at 4001 Ann Arbor Saline Road in Ann Arbor, MI, 48103.

Anyone who had the opportunity to know Katherine knows that her children, Nicholas and Alexandra, were the absolute light of her life. Her husband Michael Pryplesh, mother Ginger Luke, and stepfather Don Cherry, have communicated to us that the best way to honor Katherine would be to create a loving network of support for her children—showing them how much they are loved and valued every day of their lives—not just today, but tomorrow, in five years, and when they’re twenty or thirty years old.

Future logistics for continued day-to-day support for the family will come in part via the Helping Hands site: Helping Hands. You can register on the site to receive updates as they become available on ways in which help can be provided.

If you have any photographs of Katherine, the family has asked that you please post them to the website above (or email them to zakiyal@umich.edu) so that that they may be included in the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an educational trust fund established for Katherine and Mike’s two children, Nicky and Ali.

Donations to this fund can be made via check to: Ginger Luke and Don Cherry, 5202 Bradley Blvd., 5202 Bradley Blvd., Bethesda, MD, 20814.

Your love, support, and prayers for Mike, Nicky, Ali, Ginger, and Don during this terrible time, are greatly appreciated,

Sincerely,

The friends and family of the Luke-Pryplesh Clan