GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Kerry Garrett, a beloved member of the Gettysburg College Athletic Training Staff and Department of Athletics, passed away quietly at her home with loved ones by her side on Nov. 16, 2017. Garrett was 40 years old.
 
Garrett was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer called cholangiocarcinoma (liver bile duct cancer) in June 2016. With a determination and energy that belied the grim diagnosis, she carried on her duties at Gettysburg while receiving treatment. It was the typical character of a woman who helped so many while she was alive and put the wants and needs of others in front of her own.
 
"Kerry was an amazing fighter and inspirational example of unconditional love," said Director of Athletics David Wright in a message to the athletics staff. "Her smiling face and 'can-do-spirit' should be a beacon that we all aspire to emulate. She loved her family, she loved her work, and she loved and cared for everyone around her."
 
Garrett is survived by her husband Matt, who is the head women's soccer coach at Gettysburg, and daughters Isabella and Charlotte.
 
Garrett worked two separate stints as an athletic trainer at Gettysburg. She first came to the school in the fall of 2002 and spent two years working with the soccer, basketball, and men's lacrosse programs.
 
She returned to campus along with her husband Matt in the summer of 2007. Garrett worked with all 24 varsity programs and had a hand in treatment of hundreds of student-athletes over the last decade. She welcomed all visitors to the athletic training room, staff and student alike, and carried out her craft with a passion and dedication to help those in need. Garrett was elevated to associate athletic trainer not long after her return to Gettysburg.
 
"There are lots of reasons to love being here," said Garrett in a 2016 interview. "I would say probably the biggest reason is that they do a great job of letting us have a great work-life balance. For me to be a wife, to be a mother to two daughters, Charlotte and Isabella, there aren't many jobs in athletic training that allow people to do that very well. I think here there is a very easy flow of a balance between my home life and my work life.
 
"This isn't a job for me. It's almost like my second family. I think that's a huge part of me wanting to be here and staying here."
 
Garrett was also an educator. She oversaw the CPR and first aid certification of all athletic staff members and instructed student workers in the skills needed to be successful medical professionals. Many of those students have attained or are pursuing careers in athletic training.
 
Born in York, Pa., Garrett attended Susquehannock High School in Glen Rock, Pa., before playing field hockey at Slippery Rock University. Formerly Kerry McKnight, she was a four-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper and earned all-conference accolades as a sophomore. She received a bachelor's degree in health sciences with an emphasis in athletic training from Slippery Rock in 2000 and she earned her master's in athletic training from Old Dominion University in 2002.
 
She served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Granby High School while earning her master's degree and she helped with the Junior Olympics in Virginia as well as the Pennsylvania State Special Olympics. In between her Gettysburg stints, Garrett worked for UMPC in Pittsburgh, Pa., at Carnegie Mellon University. While working at UPMC, she also worked with the Pittsburgh Ballet, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Pittsburgh Passion. In 2006, she published an article titled "Incidence of Injury in Women's Professional Football" and presented at the national athletic trainers' convention.
 
Garrett was a symbol of hope and determination in the final weeks and days of her life. On Nov. 3, she joined the other athletic trainers in receiving their national championship rings from the women's lacrosse program. Just two days prior to her passing, she took a hot air balloon ride with her family. It was a birthday present that was cancelled twice before due to weather, but the skies cleared at the right moment to allow one final everlasting family memory.
 
Services are scheduled to take place at the College Chapel on Sunday, Dec. 3. The family will greet guests from 12-2 before the formal service. A reception will be held on campus following services at the chapel. More information on donations and services will be made available in the coming days.