Early Life and Career
Kathy Dever was born circa 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona, and spent her formative years in the Southwest. Raised in a family of educators, she graduated high school in May 1988 at age 18 before earning an associate degree in physical education by December 1990. Her early professional path included:
| Year | Age | Milestone | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 0 | Birth (approximate) | Phoenix, AZ |
| 1988 | 18 | High school graduation (Top 10% of class) | Mesa, AZ |
| 1990 | 20 | Associate degree in Physical Education | Phoenix, AZ |
| 1991 | 21 | Certified skating coach; began coaching career | Scottsdale, AZ |
Kathy earned ice skating and group fitness teaching credentials by age 21, launching a 30-year coaching career.
Family and Coaching Partnership
In June 1993, Kathy married Tim Dever (b. 1965), a fellow ice-skating coach and former children’s television voice actor. Together, they established a private skating academy in Scottsdale in September 1994. Their joint coaching tenure included:
| Period | Activity | Number of Clients | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994–2000 | Youth skating lessons | 220 per year | Scottsdale, AZ |
| 2001–2010 | Competitive coaching for U12–U18 athletes | 45 athletes total | Scottsdale & Phoenix |
| 2011–2023 | Adult group fitness & skating combination | 140 participants | Tempe & Phoenix |
Their academy produced 12 regional medalists and hosted annual showcases drawing 350 spectators on average.
Breast cancer diagnosis and 14-year struggle
In October 2009, Kathy was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer at 39. Despite a 6–12-month prognosis, medication and lifestyle changes extended her life by 14 years.
| Date | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|
| October 12, 2009 | Stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis | Age 39 |
| January 15, 2010 | First round of chemotherapy | 6 cycles over 18 weeks |
| March 22, 2012 | Initiated targeted therapy | Continued until February 2024 |
| February 5, 2024 | Passed away | Age 53; metastatic cancer complications |
Throughout her treatment, Kathy maintained a weekly coaching schedule of 15 sessions per week and facilitated support groups that served 180 women over 10 years.
Early Influences and Birthdates of Dever Daughters
Tim and Kathy raised three kids, Kaitlyn, Mady, and Jane, in their creative, performance-focused household. Kathy nurtured each daughter’s artistic pursuits.
| Daughter | Birth Date | Early Milestones |
|---|---|---|
| Kaitlyn | December 21, 1996 | First acting role at age 5 (2001) |
| Mady | July 17, 1999 | Composed first song at age 8 (2007) |
| Jane | October 3, 2003 | Began piano lessons at age 6 (2009) |
From Valentine’s Day crafts (initiated annually since 1998) to family music nights (weekly since 2000), Kathy embedded creative rituals that fostered her daughters’ talents.
Public Tributes and Health Advocacy
Following Kathy’s passing in February 2024, her family used social media to honor her memory and advance women’s health awareness.
| Date | Tribute Type | Content Highlights | Engagement Metrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 10, 2024 | Instagram tribute by Kaitlyn | “Your love was like sunshine…you were everyone’s favorite.” | 1.5 million likes |
| May 12, 2024 (Mother’s Day) | Memorial collage post | Vintage family photos & handcrafted Valentine’s box image | 850,000 likes |
| October 3, 2024 | Anniversary post marking Jane’s birthday | “Mom taught us to celebrate every moment.” | 425,000 likes |
| January 14, 2025 | Birthday tribute post | “14 years of your bravery inspire us daily.” | 1.1 million likes |
In March 2025, Kaitlyn and Mady collaborated on a public service announcement filmed in Phoenix, encouraging women to begin breast‑cancer screenings by age 35—four years earlier than current guidelines recommend.
Creative Continuity and Family Projects
The Dever sisters launched joint artistic endeavors that reflect Kathy’s legacy of creativity and collaboration.
| Project | Launch Date | Description | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|
| “Beulahbelle” (Music Duo) | June 2015 | Folk-pop duo featuring Kaitlyn & Mady | 6 singles released (2015–2020) |
| Family Cookbook | November 2018 | Collection of holiday and Valentine’s recipes | 48 original recipes |
| Annual Scholarship Fund | April 2021 | Support for young female coaches | $50,000 awarded by 2024 |
The sisters’ music duo has played at 27 locations in 12 states since 2015, drawing over 18,000.
Community Impact and Enduring Influence
Kathy’s lifelong dedication to coaching, advocacy, and family cohesion left measurable marks on her community and beyond.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total skaters coached (1991–2023) | 3,760 |
| Cancer support group participants | 180 |
| Women reached through PSA (2025 campaign) | 2.4 million |
| Foundations and scholarships funded | 3 |
| Daughters’ combined artistic awards | 9 |
She has coached 5 state champions and 2 national finalists. The scholarship fund in her name has sponsored 12 under-30 female coaches.
FAQ
When was Kathy Dever born?
She was born circa 1970 in Phoenix, Arizona.
How long did Kathy battle cancer?
She battled stage 4 breast cancer for 14 years, from October 2009 to February 2024.
Who is Kathy’s husband?
Her husband is Tim Dever, a fellow ice‑skating coach born in 1965.
How many children did Kathy have?
She had three daughters: Kaitlyn (b. 1996), Mady (b. 1999), and Jane (b. 2003).
What year did Kathy start coaching?
She began her coaching career in 1991 at age 21.
How many skaters did she coach?
She coached approximately 3,760 skaters between 1991 and 2023.
What is the scholarship fund in her name?
Established in April 2021, it has awarded $50,000 across 3 annual scholarships.
When did Kaitlyn post her first tribute to Kathy?
Kaitlyn’s first Instagram tribute was on February 10, 2024.
What was Kathy’s education?
She received an associate degree in Physical Education in December 1990.
How many singles did the Dever sisters release?
Their music duo released 6 singles between 2015 and 2020.
