Kay Lasco
Remembering an Angel: Councilwoman Kay Lasco
by Kevin Caruso
It was 2:15 AM on June 9, 2002, when Kay Lasco walked to the edge of the Aurora Bridge in Seattle. She jumped into the frigid water of Lake Union and died.
Kay was a strong and smart person. And she was highly respected.
She was a mother.
She was the director of the Northwest Washington Women's Business Center.
She worked diligently to try to open new educational doors for immigrant children.
She was a councilwoman for the city of SeaTac.
She served on the Council's Land Use and Parks Council Committee.
She was appointed by the mayor to the Council's Public Safety and Justice Committee.
She worked diligently for the youth of SeaTac.
And she died by suicide.
When Kay ran for the city council in 2001, this is what she had to say:
I will bring a new perspective to the council as I work to make your city work for you. I have the experience, desire and qualifications to move our city forward and will bring objectivity to council discussions. I thoroughly understand the important role of local government and have the proven leadership to make it work. It's not about personalities, personal agendas or backyard politics. It's about doing what's best for all the citizens of SeaTac. And sometimes that means making the tough decision.
I will work to ensure the safety of all of our citizens. Our citizens must feel connected to their neighborhoods if our government is going to work. Our public safety departments need the tools to do the job right as they protect, serve and educate the residents.
I will listen to YOU. A vote for Kay Lasco is a vote for the future. Thank you.
Those words clearly came from a bright, wonderful, caring person.
Councilman Gene Fisher said, "Kay was very, very, very smart. Everybody's in shock. She was a really outgoing, strong person; you wouldn't consider anything like that."
So why didn't Kay get help? Some of the reasons could be:
She did not want to be a burden to anyone.
She did not want to embarrass herself or her family.
She did not want to tarnish her name.
She thought she could "tough out" her feelings.
"Strong" people die by suicide every day. Being strong does not mean that you cannot become depressed or suicidal.
Anyone can become depressed or suicidal.
And if you are depressed or suicidal, you need to get help immediately.
And never, ever, worry about what anyone thinks. It is irrelevant. If you are depressed or suicidal you need to get help now.
Help is just a phone call away.
If you are suicidal, call 911 or 1-800-SUICIDE now.
And remember that suicide is never the answer.
Getting help is the answer.
