Kathryn Elaine (Hackelman) Meadows, known as Kathryn, Katie or simply Kate, passed away Sept. 2, 2026.
Katie was born to Harry and Elaine Hackelman on Nov. 12, 1978, in California. She graduated from Shawnee High School and joined the United States Army, where she served her country. While in the Army, she met and married Chris Shaddock, and the couple was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
When Chris deployed during the war in Afghanistan, Katie was expecting their child and moved to Corona, California, to live with her sister, Tammy.
Katie later earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Throughout her life, Katie faced struggles not always visible to those around her. Ultimately, she lost her battle with mental illness. Her family has chosen not to hide this part of her story because there should be no shame in talking about mental health or suicide. But they refuse to allow the way Katie died to become the story of who she was. Katie was so much more than the final moments of her life.
She is survived by her beloved son, Christopher Martin Meadows (Shaddock); brother, Tom Hackelman and his soon-to-be wife, Debbie Egan, of Virginia; sister, Tammy Hackelman Friesen and husband Ivan, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; and nieces and nephew, Savannah Elaine Smith, Elysia Smith and Lawson William Smith, and their families.
She was preceded in death by her parents. Katie’s family asks that you honor her by paying attention to the people you love. Listen. Be present. Make the phone call. Send the text. When life becomes unbearably heavy, please ask for help.
Katie was here. She was loved. She mattered. And she will always be remembered.
