Long-time school counselor dies after battle with cancer

Kathy Hofer Gailey, a counselor at Rosemary Clarke Middle School who dedicated nearly half her life to the children of the Nye County School District, passed away on Monday, Nov. 3 of complications due to cancer. She was 56 years old.

Gailey was born May 28, 1958 to Leroy and Darlene Hofer, in Rapid City, South Dakota. She attended school in Hot Springs, graduating in 1976.

She earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Counseling from Chadron State College and taught in Hot Springs, until she moved to Nevada in 1990. She is survived by her father, Leroy, of Pahrump; two brothers and a sister, Preston Hofer, Quentin Hofer and Pam Hofer.

Gailey was a counselor for the Nye County School District for 25 years. She started her career in Nevada working in Tonopah for six years and then moved to Pahrump in 1998, where she worked at J.G. Johnson Elementary School and Floyd Elementary School. Her final school was Rosemary Clarke Middle School.

The Nye County School District released the following statement: Ms. Gailey will be fondly remembered by many Nye County School District students and staff, both past and present. Please keep Kathy’s family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Rosemary Clarke Middle School gathered some comments from the teachers and staff about Gailey:

“Kathy had a huge heart and would do anything for anyone just to see them smile. She helped my family with Christmas last year. She purchased presents for my children and told them the presents were from Santa. The joy and excitement in the faces of my children brightened Kathy’s day. She will be missed, but never forgotten.”

“Kathy was one of the strongest women I have ever known. She always stayed upbeat and positive. Kathy was always working toward comforting others, and making sure their feelings were never hurt. We have had some great laughs and good cheers over the last seventeen years, I will miss her laughter.”

“Kathy was quick with a smile and a kind word. She will be missed. May God comfort and grant peace to Kathy’s family and loved ones.”

“I have known Kathy for 17 years. She has always been an inspiration not only to me but to the hundreds of students that she has helped through the years. RCMS will miss her warm smile and her kind heart.”

Lee Funeral Home will hold the viewing on Friday, Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m. and RCMS will be hosting the Memorial Service at the RCMS cafetorium on Nov. 15 at 10 a.m.