Kathryn Brown Fritz

Born September 6, 1947, into the large and loving Smith Family, Kathy was the middle of 11 children born to Helen and Eric Smith of Louisville, Kentucky. Kathy was raised as a faithful member of St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church and she was a proud graduate of Presentation Academy ('65).

Faith, family and fun were cornerstones in Kathy's long life. Living in five different states while raising a blended family of five children, her top priority was to always provide a strong foundation by finding a new church home. She loved all genres of music, especially Elvis, and you would often find her singing or dancing at home. Kathy especially loved singing in the Church choir at Pax Christi, in Minnesota.

Kathy's inherently compassionate nature made a career in Nursing a perfect fit. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from St. John Fischer College in Rochester, New York ('95). As an older student, she was affectionately called "Mom" by her classmates. Shortly after earning her degree, with all of their children grown, Kathy and Bob moved to Japan for several years. While overseas, together they rode elephants in Thailand, walked the Great Wall of China, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef and shared many adventures exploring the countries across Asia and Australia. These adventures gave Kathy an appreciation for other cultures, lifestyles and going on roads she had never travelled. Eventually they settled back in Louisville where Kathy found her professional passion as a Hospice nurse. She helped countless patients live their final days with dignity and comfort, enabling them to pass peacefully. Kathy's family takes great comfort in knowing that her love and kindness positively impacted so many patients and their families.

The ones she leaves behind are profoundly heartbroken but find peace knowing Kathy was welcomed into Heaven with loving arms by her cherished parents and her younger brothers: Tommy, Charlie, and Stevie.

Kathy is survived by Bob, her devoted husband of 48 years; her children: Missy, Darren (Penny), Erin (Dan), Eric (Melanie) and Jeremy (Alicia): her grandchildren: Nathan (Jessica), Taylor (Heath), Hayden, Ashtyn, Ryleigh, Kaity, Camden, Ansley, Maxwell, Logan, and Evan; her great-grandchildren: Elijah & Poppy Lynn, and her beloved fur baby, Zack.

Visitation will be held at Arch L. Heady at Resthaven Funeral Home, 4400 Bardstown Rd. Louisville, Kentucky 40218, from 3-7PM on Sunday January 29, 2023. Funeral Mass will take place at St. Frances of Rome, 2119 Payne St. Louisville, KY 40206 beginning at 10AM. In lieu of flowers, her family requests donations to Hosparus of Louisville or Alzheimer's Association of Louisville and Southern Indiana.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.archlheadyresthaven.com for the Fritz family.