4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
FRENCH, MARGARET KATHLEEN “KATHY”
Phoenix – Margaret Kathleen “Kathy” French, 65, joined her parents, William and Peggy French, and her sister Mary French Rylander in eternal life on February 5, 2022. Born on March 28, 1956, in Carbondale, Illinois, Kathy moved to Phoenix in 1965.
Throughout her life she was a devoted and thoughtful daughter, sister and friend and a treasure to all who knew her. Kathy never met a stranger. You could always count on her to introduce herself and shake hands with everyone she met. Kathy loved to write, collect addresses and birthdays and was always writing notes to friends and family. She adored old musicals, especially The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz. Her memory was amazing, she knew all the actors and characters from her favorite movies and TV shows. Music, singing and dancing were her passions and she never saw a microphone she didn’t pick up and share her favorite songs. Kathy never forgot a birthday or an anniversary and loved big celebrations.
She graduated from Perry Rehabilitation Institute, and worked in sheltered workshops for many years. Kathy was so committed to her work, her supervisors, coworkers and friends, that she hardly missed a day in the workshop in over 40 years. An independent spirit, Kathy lived in several group homes sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for the Handicapped during her adult life.
In her final years, she lived at Huger Mercy Living Center, surrounded with love by other kind souls and devoted, compassionate caregivers. Kathy is survived by her brother Shawn French and his wife, Jodie; sister Colleen French and her husband, Bob Barlow; her sister, Bridget French and her husband Dan Peacock; loving and devoted nieces and nephews, cousins and countless friends.
Kathy will be remembered as a kind, loving and joyful soul, who brought out the best in all who knew her. Kathy will be greatly missed, and she left the world a better place simply by being herself.
Please join the family for a celebration of Kathy’s life on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Rosary begins at 1pm, Visitation at 1:30, and the Funeral Service will begin at 2pm. Please wear your brightest colors, pinks and purples, in her honor. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Kathy’s name to the Huger Mercy Living Center “Activities Fund”.
My name is Maria…and My friend is Milli………we went over to Huger Mercy often before the Covid and see that the residents would get to the chapel………I still remember Kathy sitting in the front row most of the times……then sometimes we would go over to the cottage where she first was living and sit outside with other residents and would play music from my phone…..and that is when I heard that she liked the Sound of Music…….so we played the songs and she would sing with us……….had I known she liked the Wizard of Oz….that would have also been on our List…….we were able to visit with the residents I believe it was early January where I also greeted her and she always would give us a smile……..she was delight to know………May She Rest In Peace…….
Blessings
Maria & Milli……..
May the spirit and true kindness of Kathy live in our hearts each day. Whenever I would come to the house Kathy would always greet me with a hug and a smile as we would sit in the family room and chat before Shawn and I would venture out. The memories of her and the inspiration she provided will always remain.