What Katie Did: Celebrating the Life of Katie Spurlock

By Shannon Daggett

An old adage says “only the good die young” and Katie Spurlock, our SMPS-San Francisco Bay Area Chapter President 2015-2016, is certainly proof of this. She passed away at age 39 on Saturday morning, April 16, following a six-year battle with Stage 4 colorectal cancer.

Katie was known for her extraordinary kindness toward everyone. She was one of those special few with whom you truly felt you could be yourself and be accepted when around her. It was easy to fall for Katie. Just read below for some of the shared memories from our members.

Katie was dedicated to SMPS and our Chapter. She joined SMPS in 2007, volunteered on every committee, was awarded Marketer of the Year in 2013, and served as our Chapter President in 2015-2016. Since 2016, she volunteered on the SMPS Pacific Regional Conference (PRC) Committee to help plan the annual conference. Most recently, she served on the Society’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force to support all chapters and our own Chapter’s Awards Program Planning Task Force.

Katie came up with “Topaz” for rebranding our Awards Program this year. She showed up for our Chapter even when in the hospital toward the end of her life.

When Katie was awarded “Marketer of the Year” in 2013, it came as no surprise. She was ahead of the curve in being innovative and fearless in taking creative risks. The holiday videos that she produced every year for her firm were legendary. When I would receive the email in December every year announcing her firm’s holiday video, I would stop whatever I was doing to watch (which says a lot because I tend to take my task lists too seriously).  

One of those holiday videos was partially shot on Pier 7 in San Francisco. Last Friday, a group of us showed up on Pier 7 to honor her memory and legacy. We talked about how amazingly gifted she was as a poet (see her poem “The Stars are Confused”) and as bass guitar player. I was told she had a glittery purple bass guitar (purple was her favorite color). Beyond her musical and creative talents, she was also a lifelong Francophile.

So many beautiful layers to Katie.

Katie, you were a delight to be around. We miss you, but are so honored to have known you.

To donate to her family to help support her medical costs and funeral expenses, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/av38k-for-katie

View photos of Katie contributed by our Chapter members: https://smpssfbac.pixieset.com/katiespurlock/

If you have a memory of Katie to share, please add it to the comments section at the end of this article.

Shannon Daggett, CPSM
President, SMPS SF Bay Area Chapter

Todd Delzer
Senior Associate, Marketing Manager
BAR Architects
“I can’t remember if I met Katie at an SMPS new member party, the annual business meeting, a holiday party, or at PRC, being so long ago, but I do know that as soon as we met, we were going to be great friends. Her positive attitude, as well as her kindness – and a little bit of sass – just spoke to me. Her smile could light up a room, and would light up your day if you were having a bad one, or celebrate along with you if you were having a great one. And I was so very fortunate that our friendship moved from SMPS into our personal lives. Whether hanging out at long brunches, spending time together in Hawaii, jamming together as her partner James performed in his band, or staying with them in their home in the Russian River area, her joyful laugh, sharp wit, and empathic heart brought joy into my life, as I know it did to so many others. You will forever be missed, my friend.”

Erin Lopez
Marketing Manager
Salter
“Katie was a great mentor to me. Over the many years we worked side by side, she taught me everything I know about this work. But more importantly than that, she was a kind and generous friend. Having a colleague become a friend is the best perk at an office and I am so grateful for the love and support she showed me, and for all of our fun adventures together. Katie was radiant, and the world is a little darker without her. She will be missed by so many people.”

Ginger Kelly
Vice President
RIM Architects
“Katie was instrumental in my SMPS journey. Back in 2009 she headed the CHAT group in SF and I went to an event and she made me feel so welcome and encouraged me to get involved right away. Our SMPS journey was pure joy and learning together. She was my President Elect when I was President in 2014-2015. Katie always kept me calm and level headed. She has a heart of gold 💛 and always sees the good in everyone. She was so brave throughout her cancer journey and I admire her so much. She has touched so many people and I miss her everyday!" 

Vanessa Pelletier, CPSM
Senior Director - Branding
DAHLIN
Katie asked Vanessa to follow her in the Chapter President role. Vanessa declined at first with excuses and doubts, but then….
“…like the great marketer she was, Katie persisted, and I later accepted. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made professionally. And I have Katie to thank for that. She was an encourager. She brought out the best in everyone and she saw the positive in every situation—even in cancer. She had a smile that could light up a room and huge heart to go with it. She was an inspiration. She brought a little bit of sunshine everywhere she went. Her whole heart was in everything she did. She was brave. She had a beautiful, enigmatic spirit. She never gave up hope. That’s how I’ll remember our dear friend, Katie.”

Marion Thatch, FSMPS, CPCC
President
Distinction in Marketing
“I can’t recall a single moment when I was with Katie, that she did not have a smile on her face. She looked at the world from the most positive perspective and influenced those around her to do the same. Her light will continue to shine within all she has touched. Katie will be missed.”

Catherine McCullough, CPSM
President/CEO/CMO
McCullough Landscape Architecture, Inc.
“This world is now a little dimmer. To know Katie was to love Katie. 💜

Susie Smith, CPSM
Susie Smith Consulting
“I was fortunate to know Katie and serve with her on the SMPS SFBAC Board. She was sincere and generous about her commitment to bettering the chapter from Day 1 and an incredible role model for leadership, service, and professionalism. This will live on in me and our chapter way beyond her years.”

Lana Chan
Graphic Designer
Smithgroup
“I remember back in the day whenever I got sent to any SMPS meetings at the Salter offices, Katie would always put up with my disruptive shenanigans during those long meetings. She showed appreciation for my humor and I appreciated her allowing me to nickname her Spurlocky. I've always found that quality about her really special.”

Rochelle Beckel
Assistant Manager, Communications
Webcor
Katie was assigned as Rochelle’s “Buddy” when Rochelle joined SMPS in 2019.
“When we met for lunch, her genuine kindness immediately put me at ease; I felt comfortable being honest with her about my uncertainty and concerns about joining a completely new industry ….. When the focus of my role at Webcor eventually transitioned to PR and external communications, I reached back out to Katie….. She responded with a lengthy email detailing recommended first steps to take on such a task and told me she’d been in a similar position before and knew how overwhelming it could feel. Katie was an incredibly kind person with a genuine desire to help others however she could. The world would be a much better place with more humans like her in it. Rest in peace, Katie – you are so missed!”

Christina Benedict
Swinerton
Christina recounts the first time she met Katie.
“It was at my first SMPS conference in Philly. A big group of us went together to go get rolled ice cream. I just remember how welcoming she was. She made the newest of our members feel welcomed and like they belonged. I know she made me feel that way. I won't forget her kindness.”

Al Anderson, CPSM
Proposal Manager
Nova Group
“No offense to anyone else, but Katie was possibly my favorite person in SMPS. She always seemed so happy to see me…but I realize I’m just one of many people who have had that same experience!  I know that her marketing skills were great, but it’s her character that I’ll remember most of all.”

Cathy Kohatsu
Proposal Manager
Swinerton
“Katie was a cornerstone of our community. She had an unwavering positivity, advocated for those she believed in, and made time for fun – especially ‘80s night, and was a wealth of bright ideas and encouragement. She will always be an inspiration to cherish all the beauty in life and treasure relationships.”