Gatos and Beans, Alabama’s first cat café, will continue operating during their regular hours following the recent passing of founder Kelli Steward, according to her husband and café cofounder Stephen.

The Avondale café will also be hosting a ‘celebration of life’ for Steward on Saturday, Feb. 17, at Birmingham’s Elysian Gardens from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.

“Please join us at Elysian Gardens in celebration of the life of Kelli Steward, founder of Gatos and Beans, and lover of all animals,” reads the Facebook event page. “Please wear purple in her honor, if possible.”

According to the Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital, where Steward formerly worked as a receptionist, she died after “a short fight with a very serious illness.”

Steward founded Gatos and Beans in 2019.

The former tire store it sits in on 4348 Third Court South was renovated to suit the wants and needs of cats and encourage patrons to interact with the cats. In many cases, this helped the cats get adopted.

“The goal is to get everybody adopted, and circulate new ones in, and get them adopted as well. That’s a big part of this experience,” Steward told AL.com in 2019. “It’s for the cats.”

Nearly 300 people have responded as “going” or “interested” to Steward’s celebration of life event page.

“The news of Kelli’s passing is truly devastating,” one person wrote. “Now we need to rally at Gatos as Kelli’s devoted family and friends try to find a way to keep the cafe open. Let’s show support!!”

Anyone unable to attend the event on Saturday can also stop by a memorial erected for Steward outside of Gatos and Beans to pay their respects.