On a night plagued by tempest, the Madison Valley lost a beloved member of its community. Longtime resident Kate Fleming, 41, fell victim to a flash flood that roared down Dewey Place East, adjacent to East Madison Street, into her home.
Fleming had gone down to her basement the evening of Dec. 14 to collect the audio equipment she had used for the recording and production of audiobooks.
Fleming's home-based business Cedar House Audio is a local production company that specializes in audiobooks and spoken word. Fleming started the business after moving to Seattle from the Washington, D.C., area in the early 1990s.
The flood that would eventually take Fleming's life trapped her inside her windowless basement, while firefighters worked to pry open the blocked door.
Fleming died at 9:41 p.m. that evening at Harborview Medical Center.
"I am just shocked over what happened," said Charlene Strong, Fleming's longtime partner. "I'll never have someone as wonderful as Kate in my life."
'An exceptional human being'
Kathryn Anne Fleming was born Oct. 6, 1965, in Washington, D.C. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William and Mary in 1987 after studying religion.
Known to her friends as "lively and loving with an infectious laugh and personality," Fleming pursued acting after graduation at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in Kentucky.
Her agent of nearly 12 years, Topo Swope, regarded her as both a "great talent and an exceptional human being."
"Everyone loved to work and be with her," Swope said. "She had not only a beautiful voice and wonderful abilities, but she was just a stellar person."
'A beautiful, old soul'
Family and friends gathered on Dec. 20 for Fleming's memorial service at St. Therese Church in Madrona, where hundreds celebrated Fleming's life.
The midday service was one of two held in her honor. The other service took place Dec. 23 in Arlington, Va.
"She was sensitive, beautiful and brilliant - all of those qualities really shone through during the service," Swope said.
Strong, who offered the service's eulogy, regarded Fleming as "a beautiful, old soul. She was both private and humble, yet somehow the spotlight always found her. She genuinely cared about everyone, and I was amazed by her. I ask myself, 'Where did this woman come from?'"
"Kate was a fantastic person with a huge heart, cutting wit and love for life," said Kevin Schu-macher, Fleming's friend and business partner. "She was a very talented, professional, award-winning voice actor, and a great friend. She will be missed by all of us who were blessed to have her in our lives."
A daydream request
A well-noted animal lover, Fleming is also survived by her dog and three cats. Fleming, who spent a great deal of time working with animals, first met Strong while volunteering at the Humane Society.
Strong recalls a walk the two had with their dog, Pepper, two weeks prior to Fleming's passing. "We were walking through the [Madison] Valley and began discussing what our memorial services would be like," Strong said. "It was as if she was so content with her life, and she really was."
The service was held by Fathers Jim Harbaugh and Paul Magnano, as per Fleming's daydreamt request.
"Her last words to me were, 'Stay calm,'" Strong recalled. "I hope I could be half the person she was."
Community support
A fund to help rebuild Strong and Fleming's damaged house has been set up at Washington Mutual locations in Strong's name.
"I would like to thank the community and local firefighters for all of their help and support during this time of grief," Strong said.
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