Katherine Noel Brosnahan
(Kate)
b. December 24, 1961 d. June 5, 2018
kate spade
Katherine "Kate" Noel Brosnahan was born December 24, 1962 in Kansas City, Missouri, to parents June and Earl Brosnahan. On June 5, 2018, she was found dead by her housekeeper in her Manhattan New York apartment from an apparent suicide. Kate was eulogized at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish Redemptorist Church, Kansas City, Missouri. The Officiant was Rev. Donald Farnan. She is survived by husband Andy Spade daughter Frances Beatrix father Earl Brosnahan sister Reta brother Earl.
After graduating from Arizona State University Brosnahan began working in the accessories department at Mademoiselle magazine in New York City. In 1991, she left Mademoiselle magazine to start her own line of handbags. The handbag brand was launched with the named kate spade- a combination of her first name and then boyfriend, Andy Spade's last name. Kate and Andy were married a year later, in 1994. In 1999, Kate and Andy sold 56% of their handbag company to Neiman Marcus. By 2006, they sold their remaining stake of their company.
In 2015, launched a new fashion company focused on shoes and handbags called Frances Valentine.
After Kate's death her husband Andy wrote- "Kate was the most beautiful woman in the world. She was the kindest person I've ever known and my best friend for 35 years. My daughter and I are devastated by her loss, and can't even begin to fathom life without her. We are deeply heartbroken and miss her already.
Kate suffered from depression and anxiety for many years. She was actively seeking help and working closely with her doctors to treat her disease, one that takes far too many lives. We were in touch with her the night before and she sounded happy. There was no indication and no warning that she would do this. It was a complete shock. And it clearly wasn't her. There were personal demons she was battling."
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