With profound love and deep gratitude, we invite friends, family, colleagues, and all who were touched by her extraordinary spirit to celebrate the remarkable life of Kathleen Usher Cady, a woman of intellect, adventure, creativity, and compassion whose influence reached far beyond the boundaries of any single field.

Kathy’s journey began with a keen mind and a natural empathy for others. She earned her master’s degree in psychology from the University of Dayton, setting the foundation for a life devoted to understanding the human experience. Yet Kathy was never a person defined by one path. She was adventurous, fun-loving, and drawn to the wild places of the world.

Her love of the outdoors became a calling. Kathy emerged as an accomplished outdoor writer and photographer, giving voice to women who longed to explore the wilderness. Her pioneering book, Women in the Woods, invited women everywhere to step confidently into hunting, fishing, camping, and backcountry adventure. She didn’t just write about the outdoors, she opened the door for others to walk through.

In time, Kathy returned to her roots in psychology, earning her doctorate from Forest Institute in Springfield, Missouri. She joined the Shealy Institute as Director of Psychology, where she became a world leader in biofeedback for migraine, especially in children. She was among the first to use art as both a diagnostic lens and a therapeutic tool for pediatric migraine, a visionary approach that helped countless children express and heal their pain.

Her innovative spirit continued. In 1997, Kathy and her future husband, Roger, left the Shealy Institute to found the Headache Care Center, Clinvest Clinical Research, and the Primary Care Network, a nonprofit dedicated to educating primary care providers in migraine management. She developed the first handheld computerized device to measure cognitive change, using it as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for children, years ahead of its time.

Together, Kathy and Roger traveled the world teaching physicians, advancing headache medicine, and sharing their expertise. They wrote several successful books, blending science, storytelling, and compassion. Their partnership was a rare and beautiful union — intimate, passionate, intellectually alive, and full of joy. They traveled, explored ideas, and delighted in one another’s company. They had a blast together.

Their shared adventures spanned the globe: sailing in Palau, exploring the Galápagos Islands, wandering the Caribbean, traveling to Africa, enjoying their houseboat in Austin, and discovering the world together.

Kathy was also a devoted mother. She poured her heart into her two children, Brittany and Scotty, and embraced her three stepchildren — Ryan, Sara, and Erin — with equal love.

Kathy “Mima/Mimi” is adored and will always be remembered by her grandchildren, Niko, Julia, Canon, Charlie, Livie, Wesley, Sawyer, and Wrenley. She made every occasion special, especially Christmas with a huge Christmas tree and a customized stocking for everyone.

Those who knew Kathy will remember her brilliance, her courage, her laughter, her curiosity, and her ability to make every moment feel like an invitation to live more fully. She was a scholar, a pioneer, a healer, an adventurer, a mother, a grandmother, a partner, a friend, an avid reader, and an encourager. She loved being on the water, and in particular, floating on the Finley River. She inspired others with her mantra, “Be Not Afraid.”

We not only mourn her passing, but celebrate the extraordinary life she lived, a life that changed others, opened doors, and left a legacy of compassion, innovation, and joy.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 16th from 5:30 -7:30 pm at Gorman Scharpf Funeral Home at 1947 E. Seminole, Springfield, MO 65804. Memorial mass is Friday, July 17, 2026 in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 11:00 AM.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Amada Senior Care, Mallory, and Dr. Duff for their compassion and support.