Catherine “Kit” Evans Stevic

Catherine “Kit” Evans Stevic (nee Conway), age 52, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 6, 2021, after a nearly year-long fight against cancer. She approached this final battle how she lived, with courage, positivity and devotion to her family and friends.

Throughout her full life, Kit always discovered new experiences, whether studying primates in a faraway country, sailing and hiking, pursuing her nursing PhD program, cheering at her kids’ and students’ sports, or reading a quirky topic in a good book. She constantly broadened her horizons and immersed herself in anything that she believed in. These interests continually expanded throughout her life, and she pursued all of them with a great passion.

Growing up, Kit developed love for adventure and animals which led her to her studies at UW-Madison and a degree in Animal Psychology specializing in primate behavior. After graduation she worked at the Edenborough zoo in Scotland and later joined a research team studying migrating bats in Mexico.

Between climbing cactus trees and hanging out with bats, she developed the love of culture and food of Central America, something her family celebrates to this day. That love led her to take more travels visiting countries such are Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras and Costa Rica. These were volatile times in that region, and this is where she deepened her empathy and understanding of the complexities that cause civil unrest.

On her way back to the United States and in search of purpose in life, she saw a billboard simply stating: “New Mexico needs Nurses.” It was a sign that changed her life and led to her next chapter becoming a nurse. While still in nursing school at UW-Milwaukee, she started working at St. Mary’s hospital as a nursing assistant. Upon graduation she worked as a labor and delivery nurse, where she met a colleague, Igor.

Initially, the two didn’t get along at all, until one night after a late shift they went out for a drink at Von Trier that led to them talking until bar time. They married 18 years ago on the beach in a small Mexican village. Throughout their life together the couple could talk endlessly about anything and everything, and just enjoy each other’s company. Together, Igor and Kit shared their love of the outdoors, including taking frequent hiking and camping trips, including a weeklong adventure kayaking and touring the Apostle Islands. They were best friends.

In 2005, their daughter, Maya, was born, followed by their son, Daniel, in 2006. This became another adventure for Kit, whose favorite time taking family vacations and weekend trips, or just simple meals together where everyone talks and shares details of their day. Kit became a devoted fan and supporter when Maya joined cross country and Daniel joined lacrosse. She had an infinite amount of unconditional love for her family.

Kit went back to continue her education the same year Maya was born, commuting every day with a baby in tow from Milwaukee to UW-Madison. She earned her master’s degree in Women’s Health, and decided to take her skills from direct patient care to teaching. Her first teaching role was at Alverno College, and in 2014 she transferred to Marquette University where she was the clinical instructor and taught numerous classes including Maternity and Foundation of Nursing classes. While teaching at Marquette, she also worked on her PhD, nearly completing it before her untimely death.

Teaching is where she found herself in the right place. Kit had such a passion for nursing, instruction, and most important, for her students. She truly cared about every student that she crossed paths with. One student shared this tribute: “Kit was my favorite clinical instructor and professor. And she is the reason I continued my journey in nursing, when in reality I wanted to quit my freshman year. She shed light on every person she knows.” More tributes from students and colleagues can be found here.

Throughout her battle with cancer, she continued to show up for her family and friends and be a fixture in the Whitefish Bay community. She would get together with friends and walk the streets of Whitefish Bay and Oak Leaf Trail, catching up and connecting while on the move, which was always her way of proceeding through life.

Thank you to all that supported Kit and her family during her battle with cancer. A special thank you to the Nurses, Doctors and all other staff at Froedtert’s 7CFAC, Cancer Center and Seasons Hospice. Your care for Kit and her family was extraordinary.

Kit was born to Carole and John Conway December 11, 1968, in Appleton, Wis. She was proceeded in death by father John Conway, maternal grandparents John and Jerrine Steiner, paternal grandparents John and Jane Conway and Aunt Marcia Ness-Slye. She is survived by loving husband Igor and children Maya and Daniel, mother Carole Conway, sisters Vickie (Conway) Wright, Lydee (Conway) Hummel, brother John Conway, nephews, Kip, Donovan, Sebastian and Gabriel, Scott, Gordon, Betsy, Johnny, Billie and Jenny. She is loved by many cousins, relatives and friends.

Per Kit’s wishes, there will be a private interment and when the pandemic is over, a Celebration of Life event will be held. She wanted us to throw a party with tasty hors d’oeuvres where friends and family can mingle, share a story and a good laugh. Details will be shared at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to be made in Kit’s honor to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Kit touched lives of so many people. Anyone with a note, story or a photo of Kit is encouraged to send a message to [email protected]. These stories will be compiled to share with Maya and Daniel as part of Kit’s legacy story.