Kathy

In Memory of Kathy Doering

Board President, People with Disabilities Succeeding

 

Passed away February 14, 2026

People with Disabilities Succeeding (PDS) mourns the loss of longtime Board President Kathy Doering, who passed away on February 14, 2026.

 

Kathy was a remarkable leader, mentor, and educator whose influence shaped both the organization and the field of disability services in profound ways. She served on the board of People with Disabilities Succeeding for more than 30 years and played a foundational role in the organization’s early development. Her guidance helped shape the vision, structure, and culture of PDS, and her support was instrumental in its creation and growth.

 

Kathy was widely respected for her dedication, steadiness, and extraordinary work ethic. As an instructor and supervisor at San Francisco State University in the 1980s and 1990s, she trained and mentored countless future professionals in special education and community-based services. Her leadership style combined high standards with thoughtful encouragement, helping students develop both skill and confidence in their work.

 

Her commitment to the people she served was unwavering. When PDS first opened its doors, Kathy was present not only as a board member but also working directly alongside staff and clients in the community. She believed deeply in dignity, inclusion, and meaningful work for people with disabilities, and those principles continue to guide the organization today.

 

Beyond her professional contributions, Kathy was known for her warmth, generosity, and vibrant spirit. She cherished her family and took great joy in life—celebrating good food, good wine, meaningful friendships, and time spent with loved ones.

 

While many families and staff may not have known Kathy personally, her values remain deeply woven into the culture of People with Disabilities Succeeding. Her belief in dignity, hard work, kindness, and community continues to shape the way PDS supports the people it serves and the way its community cares for one another.

 

Kathy’s legacy lives on in the organization she helped build and in the countless lives she influenced.