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Katherine Chang Du Plessis is a 34-year-old widow who helped her husband, Kevin Du Plessis, battle stage four testicular cancer for over two years until he passed away on April 22, 2022 at 38 years old. Since he passed, Katherine has continued trying to live the “simple life” that her and Kevin built together in Alameda, California, which includes owning a local surf shop, doing things that make her happy, and raising their 3-year-old son, Cody. Even a year after Kevin’s passing, Katherine continues to struggle with her own grief, her child’s grief, and letting go of her husband.

The brick and mortar surf shop, Live Simply Surf, was Kevin’s dream when he immigrated from South Africa to Alameda, California. He taught Katherine everything she knows about surfing and owning a business. “It’s like he was preparing me to run this shop,” Katherine said. As Katherine navigated challenges with her emotions, her son, and the shop, she found comfort in continuing to run the shop Kevin always dreamed of. Katherine said, “It gives me purpose. Something for Cody to remember and to live on Kevin’s legacy.”