‘This Angel that we knew was such a gift you see. She blessed each of our hearts and souls; she lived a life so free. This Angel flew on earth, and now she flies above. And when our thoughts turn to her, our hearts are filled with love.?
Oakview Middle School teacher Kathy Luby was a lot of things ? a friend, a mother, a wife, a colleague and someone who was well-loved by those around her ? sentiments reflected in the song ‘Angel (for Kathy),? a track on the benefit CD, Candle of Hope: Remembering and Celebrating Kathy Luby.
The CD, created by Carl Zoolkoski and Phyllis Bengry, benefits the Lubys Boobies 3-Day Walk Team, who will walk in honor of their friend.
Luby passed away from breast cancer in March. The mother of five was 40.
Zoolkoski, who worked with Luby at Oakview, described her as someone with a magnetic personality.
‘She was an inspirational person and just the kind of person you’d want to be around,? he added.
After Luby passed away, Zoolkoski said he kept hearing the same message from people and was amazed by how many lives Luby had touched in her short time on earth.
Calling it ‘a blessing and a curse,? Zoolkoski felt inspired to rewrite a song he had penned years before and individualize it with Luby in mind.
‘I had to share it with the family,? he said, noting that was his only original intention. ‘I’m thankful for the fact that they loved the music and it was something they wanted to do something with.?
One thing lead to another, and Zoolkoski teamed up with Bengry to create the album, which also includes a song inspired by the Relay for Life that Bengry wrote, entitled Candles of Hope,? as well as ‘Grace Flows Down,? a favorite of Zoolkoski’s that he sings at church.
‘I wanted the CD to be classy and to reflect Kathy,? Zoolkoski said, ‘and to just be fitting for her.?
‘She was just such a wonderful person in the Orion community and made such an impact on so many people,? he added.
Prior to her passing, Luby had posed for a photo shoot with high fashion, freelance photographer John Roe, who was doing a shoot showing beautiful, strong people that are living and surviving with cancer. Some of those photos now adorn the outside and inside of the CD case.
Zoolkoski thanked everyone for their participation in the CD, saying he is truly inspired by Lubys Boobies and ‘the way they carry the banner for (the breast cancer) cause.?
A limited 1,000 copies of the CD were created and can be purchased for $12, with all of the proceeds going to benefit Lubys Boobies. Individuals interested in purchasing a copy can contact Kris Edwards at edwardskristina@live.com or (248)797-5921 or Carl Zoolkoski at cvzooms@gmail.com or (248)408-2615.
CDs can also be purchased in the Oakview Middle School main office.