WORT is deeply saddened that we’ve lost a vibrant member of our community. Kathy Hoveland passed away on December 1, 2022 due to complications from the flu and a severe lung infection.
Kathy was a deeply involved and enthusiastic volunteer at WORT. She brightened everyone’s day during her receptionist shifts, sharing acerbic wit and quips while ensuring all guests to the station felt welcome.
Her infectious laugh frequently rang out from the lobby and could sometimes be heard across the building – and sometimes, faintly, on air. She could be direct, but always spread positivity to our staff, volunteers, and guests. She called it approaching people “palm up.”
Kathy served on our Events Committee and worked numerous events on behalf of WORT. She attended so many more. Sometimes, she’d take a humorous approach, showing up to a station blood drive, for instance, wearing an impeccable blood-spattered nurse’s outfit.
Kathy later served on the WORT Board of Directors from 2017 to 2020. When interviewed during our competitive Board elections in 2017, Kathy had this to say:
“I have been a native Madisonian, I’ve listened to WORT since its conception… It has been a source of comfort for me its entire time. It’s my go-to place to feel good.”
In 2017, Kathy was also honored as a “Backyard Hero” by the Community Shares of Wisconsin. She was honored, in part, for being “a great ambassador for the station,” and doing “whatever it takes to create a positive experience at the station.”
A favorite of many programmers, Kathy was frequently asked to be an on-air fundraiser during WORT’s fundraising drives, though she said she had never intended to be on air. She could often be heard on Tony Castaneda’s Thursday 8 O’Clock Buzz, or “pledge rapping,” as it’s called, on copious news, talk, and music shows.
Kathy’s enthusiasm and love of community, and community radio, contributed to the fiber of our being. We are so saddened to lose such an incredibly vibrant, enthusiastic, witty and intelligent soul, and extend our sympathies to her family. You can read Kathy’s obituary here.
