Kathleen Foley

Kathleen Elizabeth "Katy" Foley, of Whitefish, died at the Kalispell Regional Medical Center on March 16, 2006. She was 45.

Born on Aug. 31, 1960, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of Judith Madole, of St. Michaels, Md., and Maurice Foley, of Great Cacapon, W.Va. After graduating from the Stone Ridge Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, she then attended Skidmore College, where she received a bachelor's in English literature. An accomplished equestrian, she was a member of the Potomac Pony Club, and the Skidmore College Intercollegiate Riding Team.

Katy's love of animals and the outdoors brought her to the state of Montana, where she and her companion Doug Bailey owned several horses and dogs. Katy taught horseback riding to children and adults.

Katy loved people and strived to help those less fortunate than herself. She established a career in social work with the New York Department of Social Services and the Salvation Army. She also pursued graduate studies in social work while living in New York City.

In addition to her parents and her companion, Katy is survived by a brother, Kyle Foley, of Annandale, Va.; sisters Colleen Foley Walsh, of Rockville, Md., and Erin Foley Crouch, of Easton, Md.; and seven nieces and nephews.

A funeral liturgy was celebrated March 24, 2006, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, in Cordova, Md. Burial was in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Talbot County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1143, Easton MD 21601; or to The Arc of Northern Virginia, 100 North Washington Street, Suite 234, Falls Church VA 22046.