Kathy was such a blessing to the people who knew her. I have heard so many people describe Kathy as "gracious" that I was curious about how the same word defined Kathy to many different people. WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY defines the word "gracious" as a description of a person who: is "marked by kindness and warm courtesy"; "tact and propriety; "compassionate or merciful in nature"; "characterized by charm and beauty". Truly the word "gracious" does suit Kathy by all those definitions. She was a kind, warm, curtious, tactful, proper and merciful person. She not only possessed beauty and charm, she shared beauty and charm with others in many ways. An example of the way she lived her life is the way she handled the news in 2004 that she had a heart condition. Like many people, Kathy thought heart disease was a man's disease and was shocked to learn that heart disease is the single largest cause of death in women. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she quickly got busy learning about the issue of heart disease in women. She joined "WomenHeart", an organization devoted to educating women about the risks and care of heart disease. Kathy did not like to travel alone but still she flew across the country to attend seminars and conferences about women's heart health issues. Though, at first, Kathy was not comfortable with public speaking, she educated herself on how to be a good communicator. She soon became very adept at communicating her message of good care of the heart. She donated much of her time to operate an information booth at many health fairs across the state and beyond. Kathy organized and hosted a luncheon for female soldiers and civilians working at Camp Atterbury to educate other women about heart disease as it effects women. She also organized a health fair at Camp Atterbury for the soldiers and their families. Kathy left her comfort zone to help others instead of just taking care of herself. She was not all-work-and-no-play though. I'll always remember the glint in her eye when we were shopping and she saw a pretty pair of shoes or found something she needed to complete one of her many art projects. Kathy had many projects. She made jewelry, clothes, quilts, dolls, decorated gourds and glassware. She had recently also taken up oil painting and writing. She loved to learn new art mediums and was very good at anything she tried. In spite of her quite demeanor, Kathy was quite adventurous. One day she was off to an exhibit of Roman Art and the next day off to Louisville to study glass blowing. Once she shocked me by going to a Tea Party Rally just to see what it was all about. Kathy loved her husband, her sons and her grandchildren very much. She also loved her country. Once I heard someone ask her how she could be so patient about the long hours Barry spent with the military. She replied, "I miss him, but I see supporting his efforts as my contribution to my country." I will miss Kathy and will always be grateful for the blessing of her friendship ~ I know that she is enjoying the wonder of the beautiful heaven she so well earned.