He never needed to master pie-making—his wife always handled things like that. Whether it was a birthday, a holiday, or just another weekday, she managed everything with quiet care and precision. It wasn’t until she was gone that he fully realized how deeply their lives were woven around her presence.
A mother from Oregon had just welcomed her fourth child when she suddenly developed alarming health issues. Her pregnancy had been smooth, and the birth was without complications. But shortly afterward, her condition took a drastic turn, and she was rushed to the hospital in critical shape.
As her health rapidly declined, her loved ones carried out a decision she had made long before. It was a deeply personal choice—one that would eventually offer hope to people she had never met.
A Joyful Delivery Turns into a Medical Crisis
On December 29, 2019, Kathleen and Jesse Thorson celebrated the arrival of their fourth baby—a boy named Teddy. Both mom and baby were healthy and returned home soon after. Back in Medford, Oregon, the now six-member Thorson family began adjusting to their new normal.
Their three older kids—Danny (7), Gracie (6), and James (4)—were learning their new roles as big siblings. For Kathleen and Jesse, the first days of the new year were filled with rest and family bonding. But just five days later, on January 3, 2020, Kathleen was rushed to the hospital after suffering sudden, intense symptoms.
Doctors diagnosed her with a brain bleed—an intracerebral hemorrhage—which can strike without warning and is often fatal if not treated immediately.
She underwent emergency brain surgery to relieve pressure and prevent further damage. Despite efforts to save her, Kathleen passed away a few days later. She was only 34.
What Is an Intracerebral Hemorrhage?
A brain hemorrhage—technically called an intracranial bleed—is a type of stroke that happens when a blood vessel in the brain breaks or leaks. The bleeding causes a buildup of pressure, which quickly deprives brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients.
Because the brain cannot store oxygen like other organs, even a short disruption can be deadly. Without swift intervention, brain cells begin to die within minutes.
Symptoms depend on the location and severity but may include:
- A sudden, severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling on one side
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness or loss of coordination
- Disorientation or confusion
- Extreme fatigue
- Seizures or loss of consciousness
Less common symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Vision problems
- Sensitivity to light
- Irregular heartbeat
- Stiff neck
- Balance issues
Potential causes include:
- Head injuries
- High blood pressure
- Blood clots
- Aneurysms
- Brain tumors
- Abnormal blood vessels
- Protein buildup in brain arteries (as in cerebral amyloid angiopathy)
In Kathleen’s case, the exact cause remained undetermined.
Kathleen’s Last Act of Kindness
Before her passing, Kathleen had signed up to be an organ donor—something she took seriously, even if she rarely spoke of it. After her death, her family ensured that her wish was carried out.
Twelve of her organs were donated, helping others receive a second shot at life. For Jesse, the gesture offered comfort amid overwhelming grief. “I’m thankful my kids will grow up knowing their mom made that choice,” he said.
Their oldest, Danny, told his first-grade classmates simply, “My mom helped people.” Jesse added that learning more about organ donation, and the lives impacted by it, gave him strength. “Knowing a part of her lives on—it gives us something to hold onto,” he shared.
On January 23, 2020, Jesse posted a picture of a memorial medallion that honored Kathleen’s gift of life. The photo showed the medallion in its case, accompanied by a caption that reflected his love and heartbreak.
A Love-Filled Life
Kathleen and Jesse were married on September 1, 2006. Together they built a life centered on love, faith, and purpose. Kathleen graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho, and later, the couple pursued advanced degrees at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England.
When their first child, Danny, was born six weeks early, Kathleen asked Jesse if she could stay home full-time to raise him. Without hesitation, he said yes.
From that point on, Kathleen poured her energy into motherhood while Jesse worked toward becoming a nurse.
Who She Was: A Steady Light in Many Lives
Kathleen was the anchor of their household. She loved nature walks, baking treats, and spending time with her kids. Every task she took on was full of meaning and love. Jesse once described her presence as “magic”—not in a fairy-tale way, but in how she made others feel safe, cherished, and seen.
“She chose being home with her children,” Jesse shared. “But her kindness reached everyone around her. I don’t think she ever met someone she couldn’t find a way to care for.”
In a blog post titled Sweet as Pie, Jesse captured her essence perfectly. He described how she could soothe a crying child with a song, repair a toy with a piece of tape, and somehow make everything feel right again just by being near.
After she passed, Jesse made a promise to keep her spirit alive in their home. “I’m filling every room with her warmth, her generosity, and her love,” he said, “while trying to do all the things she once did so effortlessly.”
In the weeks that followed, the kindness Kathleen had shared with others came back to her family in the form of overwhelming support.
A Community’s Embrace
On January 8, 2020—just days after Kathleen’s passing—family friend Richard Stubbs created a GoFundMe campaign to support the Thorson family with funeral expenses and hospital bills. The response was incredible. Though the original goal was $50,000, the fundraiser brought in over $130,000.
In the campaign description, Kathleen was remembered as a “supermom” and someone who brought “joy, love, and a little bit of magic” to those around her. “Words don’t do her justice,” Richard wrote. “We love her deeply and will miss her every day. But even in this pain, her spirit remains.”
Though the fundraiser is now closed, the words written there still echo how deeply Kathleen impacted the lives around her—and how that impact continues to shine on.
