Kathleen Sue Hale

Kathleen Shannon Hale has passed away at the age of 68 on December 14th after succumbing to complications due to cancer. Born in Macomb, Illinois, Ms. Hale was a resident of Orlando for over 40 years. She was a graduate of Charleston High School’s class of 1966, and received her Bachelor’s degree in botany from Eastern Illinois University, and at the time of her passing, was pursuing her Master’s degree in biology at the University of Central Florida. Ms. Hale was the president of Environmental Management & Design, Inc. since its inception in 1994. In addition, Ms. Hale worked for many years at Disney World as environmental engineer of the back lands and designed sets for movies. She even got to dress as Goofy as she worked with guests in the Magic Kingdom. Concern for the environment shaped her life, and she was active in the Florida Native Plant Society, the Oakland Nature Preserve, and the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, among many other groups. A wine connoisseur, Ms. Hale loved traveling to vineyards around the country, and was a season ticket holder and fan of the Orlando Magic. Above all else, she loved spending time with her daughter and grandchildren. She is preceeded in death by parents Harry and Jeanette Shannon of Charleston, and nephew Kevin Banks of Miami, Florida. Kathy is survived by daughter Nicole (Igor) Machado, grandchildren Ian and Ella, sisters Patricia Shannon of Charleston, IL and Karon Shannon Michel of Live Oak, FL, and an extended family of nieces and nephews in Sanford and Live Oak, Florida. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 28th at 12:00pm. Woodlawn Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha 34734. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name to any of the organizations above would be appreciated.