Sister's Tribute After 'Big, Bright' Point Pleasant Graduate Dies

Katherine Rae Gaston loved being outdoors. She enjoyed riding quads, snowboarding, the beach and spending time with her friends and family.

"She had a big bright personality and brought joy to so many people," her family and friends said.

Now, even in death, the 27-year-old Point Pleasant native has found a way to inspire and bring joy to others. And they found a way to do it outdoors.

Her sister, Claire, 17, of Point Pleasant joined the Mater Dei Prep football team as a kicker, having been asked to do so since she was an academy-level soccer goalkeeper.

As a way to pay tribute to her sister, she does it.

Claire's sister, Katherine, or "Kat," and her family had encouraged her to join the team; Katherine thought it would even be "cool," Claire told The Asbury Park Press.

"She was really a big part of my life and she was the one who really wanted me to do football," Claire told Fox5.

And Claire credits her sister for taking the risk, telling The New York Post she wears the No. 17 for Katherine, who was born Aug. 17. She also wears a chain around her neck that holds one of Katherine’s rings and a vial, which is filled with some of her ashes, the report said.

And it appears to be paying off. In a 40-13 victory over Brick Township last month, she converted two out of four extra points; since that game, she's improved her extra point percentage to nearly 80 percent, according to The Press.

Claire made five of six extra-point attempts at a Sept. 14 game against Jackson Memorial, according to The Post. In the meantime, she hasn't gotten any ribbing, either, from others on the team who may feel like she's playing a boy's game; indeed, they have been completely supportive.

Gaston also credits Carli Lloyd, the World Cup champion who recently tried to make it as an NFL player, as being an inspiration. Lloyd kicked a 55-yard field goal during an NFL practice.

“When that video came out, I was like, ‘Coach, I can do that,’ ” Gaston told The Post. “It helped me so much seeing her do it.”

But even with Carli Lloyd paving the way, it's her sister's memory that drives her the most.

Katherine Rae, 27, passed away on July 3. She was raised in Point Pleasant and graduated from Point Boro High School in 2009, according to her obituary.

Her obituary from Scott and Kedz Funeral Home said Katherine had a kind caring heart, for animals and for people. She was proud to be a dental assistant and loved going to work where she helped people.

Her sister, Claire, still senses that thoughtfulness and tender care when she takes the field.

“Knowing she wanted me to do it helps me every day in practice and games, and it helps me feel more secure knowing she’s up there looking down on me, supporting me 100 percent of the time,” Claire told The Press.