ROCHESTER – Kathy Louise Mort Flory, 54, of Akron, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 11:50 p.m. May 4, 2012, in her home.
She was born Sept. 11, 1957, in Fort Wayne, to Harry and Barbara Westafer Mort. On Jan. 29, 1994, she married her best friend, John Flory, in a Victorian-style wedding held at the Basilica at the University of Notre Dame. Together they shared many common interests and adventures in life for the next 18 years. For the last decade she worked at Biomet until she was recently placed on medical leave.
Growing up as one of three children, she shared her childhood with a sister, Penny, and brother, Greg. She attended Manchester Schools and graduated with her class in 1975 from Manchester High School. She attended floral design school and later she attended Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne and graduated with an associate’s of arts degree in interior design. John and Kathy made the quaint Millark Mill their home. It offered the perfect setting to showcase the primitive antiques she collected, all fitting within the era of the active mill. She also was a proud owner of a vast button collection. An artist, she designed and created custom jewelry for the most discriminating eye, featured at art shows around northern Indiana. She also shared her coveted treasurers with family and special friends.
Proud owners of a pair of beautiful Tennessee Walking horses, Kathy and John enjoyed embracing nature on the trails of northern Indiana, horseback riding. With great pride Kathy established the Millark Kennel, home of her show quality Australian Cattle dogs. She and John enjoyed many years of venturing around the U.S. and exhibiting their finest. Each Christmas brought the challenge of a jigsaw puzzle, together they persevered to complete the project. Kathy enjoyed spirited games of euchre with her family. Springtime brought on the planting season and introducing new species of plants to her English garden that embraced their home.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, John; a sister, Penny (and spouse Mitchell) Schutz, North Manchester; a brother, Greg (and spouse Sandy) Mort, Raleigh, N.C.; her mother, Barbara Mort, Chesterton; her father, Harry (and spouse Phyllis) Mort, Fort Wayne; two brothers-in-law, Aaron (and spouse Lori) Flory, Mishawaka, and Ryan (and spouse Dorothea) Flory, South Bend; six nieces and nephews: Brogan Schutz, Nick Flory, Leah Flory, Oliver Flory, Dashiell Flory and Meredith Flory. She also leaves behind her beloved canine companion, Ralphie, her Australian Cattle dog, and feline friend, Smokey.
A celebration of the life of Kathy Louise Flory will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, with Pastor Karen Eberly officiating.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to the service Tuesday. ***** Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Fulton County Humane Society and Hope Hospice of Fulton County.
