She and Isreal had been together since their schooldays. She says they met and fell in love when she was 17 and he was 24. He had been diagnosed with epilepsy two years earlier.

On April 10, he had a seizure and then a brain hemorrhage. Three weeks later, on May 2, in a coma in the intensive care unit of John Hunter Hospital in Newcastle, he died. They had discussed what to do in such a situation. There was no unnecessary prolongation.

He was 41 and they had been married for nearly nine years.

And that’s why she feels so strongly about March 26 which has been designated as Purple Day, a day to wear the colour purple in solidarity with those who suffer from the condition and in solidarity with their families.

She’s organised a string of events in Glen Innes to try to change perceptions (see below).

“I want people to have conversations about what epilepsy is to try to reduce those false perceptions in the community and to de-stigmatize it.”

One of the false perceptions is that it’s a mental illness. It’s not – it’s just a misfiring of the circuitry of the brain, a bit like a temporary electrical malfunction.

But there is a stigma. Kathleen knows of a teacher about whom a parent complained needlessly. 

Part of the reason is that seizures can be very un-nerving for people who witness them without understanding what’s going on.

Kathleen said that “the most important thing to do is to make sure the person is safe. Grab something soft to put under their head. If they've fallen to the ground. Turn them over on their side to maintain their airwaves.

“And if you can, time the seizure. Anything from 30 seconds up to five minutes is quite normal for that seizure activity to occur. Anything beyond that and they should call an ambulance.”

But these seizures are rare. Seventy per cent of people who have epilepsy (estimated to be about three per cent of Australians) keep the condition under control through medication or diet. Thirty per cent can’t and are subject to fits.

There will be events near you. Kathleen says: “I would love everybody to get on board and to wear purple.”

Events in Glen Innes: The Town Hall will be lit up purple; Kings Gym will have a zumba class at 7 pm – everyone welcome; the Pie Shop on Grey Street will sell purple cakes (orders welcomed); Glen Innes West Infants School and Wytaliba Primary School are having a 'wear something purple' day. More details on the  Purple Day for Epilepsy Glen Innes Facebook page.