Sad news

Sad news from my world today, as I just spent a weekend in Indiana following the passing of my best friend Justin’s mom, Kathy Forkner. After a long and brave battle with cancer, Kathy finally decided to take her rest this part Thursday. She was a great lady, and while I won’t share every memory I have of her with you, I will say that I admired her amazing relationship with her husband and the love and affection they had for each other, even after almost 35 years together. She also, after first meeting me, when I was all nervous because I was meeting “the boyfriend’s” parents, told Justin that I was “naturally beautiful,” something I’ve never forgotten. I used to call her from Germany just to say hello and she always made time to talk to me. She and her husband co-wrote her obituary which I find to be simply beautiful and am including below. God bless Kathy.

Kathy Sue Forkner, passed away gently from this life on Thursday, June 26, with whispers of love from husband Terry and sons Damien and Justin. The last few months of her cancer journey had been difficult, but she felt blessed by the love and support from all her family and friends. She considered herself the luckiest person on earth. Kathy was born in Indianapolis on October 3, 1951, daughter of David P. and M. Aileen Yates. She graduated from Indiana University with bachelor's degree in Psychology and English in 1973 and earned a master's degree in Library Science in 1995. She was an eighteen year employee of Community Health Network, director of Indiana Epilepsy Services, and a longtime volunteer in various southside Indianapolis charitable organizations. Survivors include her husband of 34 years and the love of her life, Terry R. Forkner and her beloved sons, Damien R. Forkner (Lisa)of Corvallis, Oregon and Justin P. Forkner (Michelle) of Indianapolis. Kathy felt blessed by her daughters-in-law, Lisa and Michelle, and considered Sophia and Benjamin, Damien's children, the brightest lights in her universe. She was so proud to be able to know them. Kathy is also survived by her sister, Lesley Ann Carroll of Alto, GA; and brothers-and sisters-in-law Jan Main (Ray)of Indianapolis; Mary Ann Yates and Ellen Yates, both of Indianapolis; Nate Martin (Barbara) of Lexington, MA; Jill Rohrbach (Rich) of Darien, IL; Jacque Qualls (Steve) of Raymore, MO; Pixie Reeves (John)of Greenfield, IN; Michelle Story (Dale)of Indianapolis; Troy Forkner (Lisa) of Middleton,OH; and Angela Plummer (Jon) of Anderson,IN. She enjoyed twenty-eight nieces and nephews and twenty-six great-nieces and great-nephews. Kathy was very appreciative of the love and support provided by her dear friends Kenna Wood, Kay Vohs, Nancy Steele, Mike Conway, and Sandy and Jerry Dreesen, as well as the many other friends and neighbors who shared this journey with her. Kathy wishes to acknowledge the loving care provided by Mary Lou Meyer, MD, her staff, and the caregivers of Community Hospital South, who treated us all like family. Her colleagues and hospital friends were very important to her positive outlook. The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Neuroscience Nursing Education Fund, in care of the Community Health Foundation ( www.ecommunity.comfoundation). A celebration of Kathy's life will be held on Saturday, July 5th in the Community Life Center at Washington Park East. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner & Buchanan Washington Park East Funeral Center