Caitlin Kemper Bull, age 20, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her loving family August 13th after a valiant two year battle with a rare form of cancer. Born Dec 1, 1988 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Caitlin was raised in Morton Grove where she attended Park View Elementary and Niles West High School, and was a student at Northern IL Univ. at the time of her diagnosis. She was a rabid sports fan who knew all the players on all the teams. She was crazy about dogs from her earliest years. Born with a smile on her face, all her life she had a beauty, grace and wisdom beyond her years, facing challenges and demonstrating courage as a very young girl, so that when she confronted the ultimate challenge (still as a young girl), she was able to draw on those resources to sustain her and those around her. For even in the darkest days of her illness she was always concerned with others; family, friends and medical staff - wanting to know how they were, what and they were doing.
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The following are comments about Caitlin Bull and the impacts she had on the lives of others.
Dear Parents of Caitlin,
I haven't met Caitlin but I just want to say hello to you after I read the Northern Star.
Reading the article, she is (not was) a real angel, isn't she!
Her beautiful spirit is and will be always with your family and friends at NIU.
Sincerely,
Have a wonderful day!
Tomoyuki Shibata, Ph.D., M.Sc.
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Foundation honors the memory of a NIU student
By MATT LIPAROTA
Last updated on 12/06/2009 at 10:29 p.m.
"You know those people who have a special kind of smile? That was Caitlin."
According to her friends and family, this description from fellow sorority sister Kristen Huben encapsulates Caitlin Bull in a nutshell.
Caitlin, who died of cancer on Aug. 13, was a hospitality major at NIU. Upon her death, her family established the Caitlin Bull Foundation to honor her memory.
The foundation's stated goal is to benefit cancer research and offer scholarships for cancer patients and aspiring musicians. It also serves to benefit animal rescue. Friends and family said that Bull was very passionate about music and animals.
For Keith Jackson, Caitlin's stepfather, the foundation is a way to preserve her memory.
"I don't have a problem with closure," Jackson said. "I don't want closure. [The Foundation] kind of keeps my daughter alive. It's a good way to memorialize Caitlin and who she was."
Caitlin began at NIU in the fall 2007 semester, but was forced to withdraw from classes upon her cancer diagnosis in November of that year. She returned the following fall after her cancer went into remission. It was at this time that Caitlin and junior marketing major Michelle Cortina became close friends.
"We just hit it off, and we were inseparable after that," Cortina said. Both women were members of Alpha Sigma Alpha, although they rushed at different times.
Since Caitlin's death, Cortina has been involved with the Foundation's efforts and serves as moderator of Bull's Facebook memorial group.
"Caitlin was very honest," Cortina said. "If you came to her with questions or for advice, she wouldn't sugarcoat it. That's why people loved her."
Despite the uncertainty accompanying the diagnosis, Caitlin faced it with strength.
"Never once in my presence did this young lady ever say "why me,"" Jackson said. "Her ability to cope with life?s ups and downs gave her a great outlook on life."
Caitlin acted as an emotional "rock" for her family, Cortina said.
"She didn't shed a tear," Cortina said. "She was strong for everyone else. She was the strongest person I've ever met."
Friends describe Caitlin as a relatively private person. Initially, she attempted to keep knowledge of her illness limited to a select few.
"She just wanted to be a normal college student," Cortina said. "She didn't want people to feel sorry for her."
Katie Lutz, Caitlin's freshman year roommate, remembers Bull the same way Cortina does.
"She didn't want to be beaten by this," said Lutz, junior early childhood education major. "She said she'd be OK, and in her heart she really believed that. She was such a strong person."
Caitlin's personality didn't leave an impact just on the people closest to her, but those that she met in her day to day life as well.
"Caitlin was one of the nicest, most genuine people I'd ever met," said oncologist Bruce Brockstein, who served as Caitlin's primary physician throughout her battle with cancer. "She stayed that way until the day she died."
Throughout her time under his care, Brockstein said Caitlin never once put herself before those around her.
Brockstein recalls a time when he visited Caitlin at her home.
"One of the first things she did was ask about my kids, despite her pain," Brockstein said. "That exemplifies her. She was at peace well beyond a person much older."
Jackson hopes that the Foundation works to show the world what kind of person Caitlin was.
"If there was ever an angel, Caitlin was one," Jackson said. "She wasn't like the rest of us. She was something special."
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Hi my name is Jessica Tarnoff and Caitlin and I were friends in highschool. She was such a great person and I'll never forget the memories we shared--whether it was switching clothes at gym class so we could have a different outfit for the 2nd half of the day, speaking with British accents, making up nicknames for people, shopping, going to prom and spending the entire time in the bathroom because we didn't like our dates, or trying to throw a party at my house when my parents were out of town and hiding in the bath tub and turning out all the lights when people came to the door because we were too scared to answer it. I called her Thait and she called me Thess. There were so many other times and I will miss her so much.
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Dear Family of Caitlin,
I had lunch at Pequod's the other day and was so saddened to see the flyer about Caitlin's passing. I taught Caitlin at Niles West in my aerobics classes and she was an absolute pleasure! She was always eager to participate. She especially loved to talk about Pequod's. When I mentioned in class my favorite pizza restaurant was Pequod's she came up to me at the end of the class and proudly told me her dad owned it! I am so sorry for your family's loss. My own father has battled cancer and also has been treated by Dr. Brockstein. I was happy to see she received his wonderful care! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Everday that I teach aerobics I will remember Caitlin smiling in the back of the dance studio!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Heidi Splinter
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Although I did not know Kaitlyn, I feel like I got to know who she was and what she was about
just by reading her beautiful notice in today's Chicago Tribune. I had to read it a few times
because it is simply a beautiful tribute to a young lady who so obviously had a huge impact
in everyone's lives.
It is so interesting that just recently, I cam across a quote on how there are people
that come into our lives for a short moment and then there are people who come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts.......such a simple yet powerful testament to what the human spirit
is capable of.
May your daughter, granddaughter, cousin, niece and friend live in your hearts forever.....
Peace,
Renee Bajek
Chicago, IL
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To the loving family of this beautiful young woman……………
My son Brandon Wishnoff knew Caitlin. He was so saddened by her death. He said the service and memorial were so sad. But he will always remember her. It makes us all so thankful for what we have.
Your loss is the greatest loss a family can have and my prayers are with you all. Brandon can be such a pain in the butt sometimes. I am reminded how lucky I am in your loss.
Brandon and I are so sorry for you all and we hope that we shall meet up with Caitlin when it is our time to leave this earth.
Randi S. Buslik, M.A
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Keith and Julie,
I am so deeply sorry. My prayers are with you. With much love, Millie
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I'm seeing your beautiful daughter face second day in the row. I'm crying for Her and for You left behind. How much pain you can endure, how much pain can survive. I feel your pain to the bones, because I have a 17 year old daughter and I can't emagine life without her. From the bottom of my heart I wish you to survive the pain and, may be one day to be happy again and smiling again
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some fond memories...
...babysitting her when she was little
and we played "Splat" (she beat me)
...rollerblading while you & Caitlin
biked
...helping build her playground set.
Rest in peace, Caitlin...
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Julie, I am sorry to hear of the passing of Caitlin. You and Keith have my deepest sympathy. I remember you, Caitlin and Keith when I worked at Park View School, you all were so nice, I am so very sorry.
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God bless you all at this sad time. May your many sweet memories of her be a comfort, always.
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I was deeply sadden on hearing about sweet Caitlin. I was blessed to have met her while she was a patient at the hospital where she was getting treatment.
I remember getting orange juice (O.J.) for her dad and Caitlin and she always welcomed me to her room with her bright smile and pleasant demeanor.
She left her beams of sunshine in all of our hearts.
Ill Miss You Caitlin; we will see each other someday soon.
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Dear Keith,
We are deeply sadened by the loss of Caitlin. Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family, during your time in need. Caitlin was a brave, loving and strong soul. Even though I only met Caitlin during the time of her diagnosis, she would always smile and be brave and strong during the hardest times. I can remember just after Caitlin was diagnosed and I came into her room and was telling the two of you how my boys love to shoot pucks and Gunzos. And she gave me the biggest smile and a little giggle. The when I would come to work after my sons games, she would always ask if he won or lost and how many goals he scored today? My boys are very upset over her passing and they wanted me to tell you that their first goals this season would be for Caitlin! So, I want to know that your family is being deeply thought of. May God bless Caitlin and your family and take care of you in your time of need.
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She will always be my special flower. When I see bright pink nail polish or bright pink flowers, Ill always think of Caitlin. She brightened my day. Amongst all she went through, she always had hope, was selfless in spirit and always a true beauty at heart. I will miss her. Hank felt comfort in her presence when we would see her. My thought and prayers are with you.
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Caitlin Kemper Bull, age 20, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of her loving family August 13th after a valiant two year battle with a rare form of cancer. Born Dec 1, 1988 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Caitlin was raised in Morton Grove where she attended Park View Elementary and Niles West High School, and was a student at Northern IL Univ. at the time of her diagnosis. She was a rabid sports fan who knew all the players on all the teams. She was crazy about dogs from her earliest years. Born with a smile on her face, all her life she had a beauty, grace and wisdom beyond her years, facing challenges and demonstrating courage as a very young girl, so that when she confronted the ultimate challenge (still as a young girl), she was able to draw on those resources to sustain her and those around her. For even in the darkest days of her illness she was always concerned with others � family, friends, medical staff � wanting to know how they were, what they were doing.
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