Ms. Kathy, always in our hearts

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. Please bookmark this page and check for updates for info on future events, community resources, and other ways you can support each other, Ms. Kathy’s family, and the Lincoln Community.

Image credit: youth artist Joey Wong and O-High Photography Program

It is with extreme sadness that we share that the Park’s beloved Ms. Kathy passed away on October 6, 2026 after a month-long battle in the hospital. As you can imagine, this is a difficult time for our entire community, and especially the many children that Ms. Kathy has influenced over the last ten years at the Lincoln Recreation Center, spearheading the children programs.

Lincoln Square Park is considered a Resilience Hub, which means we work to support the community in good times and bad.

Friends of Lincoln Square Park is collaborating with Lincoln Elementary leadership and Chinatown based Mental Health Specialists - who already have a personal connection to the park and Ms. Kathy - to build support and referral assistance. We are especially grateful for Asian Health Services and the Lincoln Explorer parents who have stepped up to offer professional guidance, counseling and volunteer assistance.

• About Ms. Kathy

  Kathy was a beloved colleague, friend and super-hero of Oakland Chinatown and Her mother and her are idols of a generation of youth, adults and seniors she sheperded and loved.

  She wore many hats, and merchants, schools, community groups, and each and every resident knew and was under Ms Kathy’s watchful eye and generous and relentless spirit.

  During Covid, Ms Kathy and the Lincoln team came together with community partners to handle food distributions to 20 Chinatown restaurants towards 200,000+ meals across Oakland. Seniors lining up at 5am, fear, confusion. Ms Kathy and her mom arms extended always to guide and bring order and calm to organized chaos. And it was Kathy who was the hookup for all the restaurants. Easy peasy for her. She did this on the daily for her home and town.

  With Gilbert Gong, park staff, and the Friends of Lincoln Square, Kathy guided, connected and made sure Lincoln Summer Nights turned into a new Oakland cultural tradition. It launched the campaign for what is now the complete renovation of a brand new recreation center. Her and our dream and forever her home.

  Ms. Kathy Gin - a true Oakland legend.

There is no one way to grieve

It is important to know that individuals may express their grief differently.  Your reactions may be particularly intense depending on your relationship with Ms. Kathy, if you have experienced other recent losses, or if it is a significantly stressful time in your life. What is important is to respect the different ways we each feels and react, and help each other in the days and weeks ahead.  Most of you will get comfort from your friends, family, or faith communities.  Talking to a professional counselor can also be helpful if you have strong feelings or if you are concerned about your reactions in any way.

• Warm Line - 1 (800) 881-8502 - Open to All

  MHACC Warm Line provides immediate and confidential emotional support and resources to persons who are facing mental health challenges.

  Focused Support for Chinese Communities in the U.S.

  We understand the unique mental health challenges faced by Chinese-Americans, often complicated by cultural and linguistic barriers. The MHACC Mental Health Helpline is here to offer immediate, confidential support.

  Multi-Lingual and Free:
  Choose from Mandarin, Cantonese, or English to receive our no-cost support services.

  Emotional Support and Resources:
  If you're struggling with emotional distress, we provide tailored support and resource referrals.

  Crisis Intervention:
  For urgent emotional crises, we offer coping strategies and necessary interventions.

  Trained Staff:
  Our team consists of culturally-sensitive, professionally trained individuals.

  Empowerment and Recovery:
  We believe in your capacity for mental well-being. You're not alone！

  Hours:
  Available Monday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m (PST)

• Handouts on Grief and Loss

  We are grateful to have community members who have shared resources to assist our grieving community:

  • Information on Grief and Loss

  • Supporting a grieving friend

  • Coping with a loss

• The Invisible Strings - Read Aloud Book

  The Invisible String by Patrice Karst, illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, is a children's picture book that helps kids and adults cope with grief, loss, and separation anxiety by explaining that everyone is connected by an invisible string made of love.

• Wednesday, October 7th

  Oct 7, 2026, 3:30-6pm at Lincoln Square Park - Trained counselors will be available for the Explorers program to offer 1-1 counseling and support for youth and staff.

  Oct 7, 2026, 6:30 at Grand Lake Theater. The Lincoln Explorer Lion Dance Team - a program Ms. Kathy supported with her whole heart, will be performing in her honor under the marquis.

  Counselors will be available for anyone seeking support.

  This performance is part of the Oakland Originals film screening featuring a film about Lincoln Square Park Community and featuring the park staff, including Ms. Kathy.

  Get your tickets.

• Other Resources, Healing Circles, Ways you can Help

  Stay tuned for more updates.

  Contact us if you would like to help. Volunteers are needed to:

  • Lead Healing Circles in the coming days and weeks (trained professionals)

  • Support Lincoln staff at the park

  • Help carry on the legacy of Ms. Kathy through projects and programs she cared deeply about

  • Provide translation support