Dr. Mary Kate Reese             Sep 1962- Sep 2024

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?"

-Mary Oliver

Obituary

Dr. Mary Kate Reese, 62 of Cumming, GA passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of September 25, 2024. She was born in Hopewell, Virginia in 1962 and went on to become a loving wife, mother, friend, counselor educator and golden retriever lover. After graduating from Furman University in 1983, she located to Georgia where she earned her master's and doctoral degree in Community Counseling (1986) and Counseling (1996) at Georgia State University.

Dr. Reese was a licensed professional counselor and counselor educator. She also had a private practice- the Atlanta North Center for Change. Her career was impactful it spanned 37 years. Dr. Reese taught at Georgia State University, Argosy University Atlanta, and Walden University. She mentored countless master's level and doctoral level counselors. Leaving her mark in the field thru that mentorship and earning recognition from her peers along the way. She received the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2013 from the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. the Counselor Educator of the Year by the Licensed Professional Counselor’s Association in 2013.

Mary Kate was known for her fearless advocacy for loved ones, clients, students and colleagues. She loved passionately and worked tirelessly to be a positive influence on the counseling profession and world at large. She enjoyed reading, even if the story as sad or emotion filled. Like a true therapist she was not afraid of depth filled conversation and authenticity. She loved all things purple, like purple irises and Prince. She loved horseback riding, true crime podcasts and Alanis Morissette. Mary Kate was a true friend to her friends. Fierce and loyal and brave. 

She was diagnosed with a rare form of breast cancer. Against so many odds she survived for years past the probable initial diagnosis. Instead of turning away from life, she turned towards it. She continued to give professionally. She was a dedicated mother and poured as much as she could into her children Cassie and Chase. She checked in on friends going through their own hardships. 

Mary Kate was preceded in death by her parents Benjamin and Jane Bagwell and is survived by her husband, Don, her daughter, Cassie, her son, Chase, her brother, Ben, her goddaughter, Hannah, her son-in-law, David, and two beloved dogs, Koa and Kiya.

Mentoring Moments

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July 21, 2026

One thing I can always remember clearly about my mom is how strong she was as a person. She never turned her back on others and she always wanted to help who she could. I remember how she would tell me about the dangers of talking to strangers or giving homeless people money, but she had a profession in helping these same strangers when they needed it. It might seem hypocritical, but I've never admired anyone more than I've admired my mom throughout my life. I wish I could tell her how much I've done in the time she's been gone, and how I keep trying to pursue what I love because I know she would want me to. She always pushed me carefully in whatever direction she thought was right, and usually it would end well. Sometimes, whenever I got in trouble, or if I was stressed out, she would try to sit down with me and talk me through how to solve particular problems through the same ways she learned when she was younger. I miss how she would smile and laugh whenever a video she liked was on, and I miss how her cooking smells every day. Our kitchen is a mess without her around to keep us in check. Every day I feel like I forget more and more about my life up to this point, but she has been in the most vivid memories I'd had throughout all of them. But I've started forgetting how her voice sounds, and how her face looks, and I'm scared that I'll forget completely. Sometimes, if I'm not careful, I'll call out to her if I'm trying to find something I'm missing or if I'm curious on something. She always liked helping me out, even if she was sick or unhappy. I miss her.

Chase Reese

March 30, 2025

Her Eiffel Tower earrings...

Margaret Burgess-Wright

March 30, 2025

During my doctoral internship, I taught an ethics course under a professor who was pregnant. On the Friday afternoon of class, Dr. Reese calls me to tell me that the professor went into labor early. She waited for me to come in Friday evening and sat knee to knee with me - helping me figure out how to teach a weekend of ethics by myself. From that point forward, I knew I could do anything in the world. She believed in me way before I believed in myself.

Margaret Burgess-Wright

March 13, 2025

Dr. Reese was such a joy to have been taught under. In a virtual world where it was easy to feel isolated, she had a talent in connecting with students. I remember feeling so ashamed having burnt out while trying to complete my supervision course and plan a wedding. She reminded me to be kind to myself and that there was no shame in taking an academic break. She gracefully embodied the values of mentor, and I hope one day to hold even an ounce of the compassion she had. She will be missed greatly, but never forgotten.

Jacqueline

March 12, 2025

One favorite laugh we shared was her love of bright colors and how she encouraged me to embrace my inner pink lipstick lady. Mary Kate was full of love and truly cared about each and every one of her students. It was such a pleasure to be her colleague at Walden and friend.

Kathleen Levingston

March 7, 2025

One day MK sent me an image. It was a ticket. She said we are going to celebrate Prince's music with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She marveled at how I knew every lyric. Not to be outdone she finally pulled out her phone to get lyrics to each song. LOL. We danced and sang and for a moment we were teenagers without a care in the world.

Ruby Blow

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