Vicki Kabat

Vicki Marsh Kabat, a journalist and author known for her wit and love of a good story, died Jan. 29 at a Waco hospital following a two-month illness. She was 69.

A Celebration of Life service will be at 1 p.m. Feb. 17 at Central Presbyterian Church in Woodway. Colorful attire is encouraged.

Vicki was born Sept. 8, 1954, to Glenn and Patsy Marsh in Marshall, Mo. She was the youngest of three siblings, joining sister, Karen, and brother, Michael.

The family lived on a farm, where they grew corn, soybeans and wheat and raised Angus cattle and hogs. She attended Marshall High School, where she was a twirler with the marching band, editor of the yearbook and writer for the school newspaper.

Vicki graduated from the University of Missouri School of Journalism in 1976. In her career, she worked as a newspaper reporter, an advertising copywriter and as director of communications for McLennan Community College. In 1995, she became Director of Christian Education at Central Presbyterian Church, a position she held for three years. She went on to work at Baylor University in 1998 as a writer/editor in the External Relations Division and in 2001 became founding editor of the award-winning Baylor Magazine. In 2005, she became Director of Communications for the Baylor School of Social Work until her retirement.

Best known for her weekly humor column on parenting in the Waco Tribune-Herald during the 1990s, Vicki compiled her favorites into a book titled “Momsense: For Clueless Parents Everywhere.” She also wrote and illustrated a children’s book “Will You Still Love Me?” and wrote a collection of uplifting stories about home, family and faith titled “High Hope.”

Her writing led to numerous speaking engagements throughout Central Texas. Combining humor and gentle wisdom with her love for Christ, she exemplified the joy that carried her through life.

Vicki and Bruce Kabat were married Nov. 6, 1977, in the small country church she attended as a child. They have three sons, Michael, Jeffrey and Brian, and seven grandchildren, Tess, Nora, Easton, Hayes, Sebastian, Elise and Henry. She and Bruce spent many happy hours with their grandkids, who loved the “Grammy Camps” that she filled with fun art projects.

Vicki never passed an antique shop or garage sale without stopping, and dragged home many “finds” that would someday end up in her own garage sales.

She spent most of her adult life at Central Presbyterian Church but also was a member of Crossties Ecumenical Church and Lakeshore Baptist Church. A lifelong learner, she took Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work courses while employed at Baylor. She earned a Certificate in Transforming Communities from Shalem Institute in Washington, D.C., and a Certificate in Spiritual Direction from the Diocese of Austin. She served as a spiritual director for several years and as an occasional guest pastor.

Vicki was preceded in death by her father and brother. Those wishing to honor her memory may consider a donation to Talitha Koum Institute in Waco or a favorite charity.