Mrs. Kathy Diane Finch, 70, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away Monday, August 26, 2024, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria after a courageous battle with cancer.
Kathy was born June 19, 1954, in Galesburg, the daughter of Franklin Eugene and Shirley Jean (DeGroot) Douglas. She married her high school sweetheart, Jeffrey P. “Cowboy” Finch on February 26, 1972, at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Henderson Grove, Illinois. After 47 years of marriage, Jeff preceded her in death on September 17, 2019.
Kathy is survived by her children, Michael C. Finch of Bemidji, Minnesota, Brandy M. Finch of Louisville, Kentucky and Christy L. (Eric) Noggle of Springfield, Illinois; her brother, Steve Douglas of Reno, Nevada; seven grandchildren, Tyler (Anna) Olsen, Brett Olsen, Mallory (Seth) Webster, Evan (Emma) Noggle, Daisy Finch, Lacey (Derik) Harned, Jacob Williams, and two great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
Kathy graduated from Galesburg High School Class of 1972. She worked in food service for Galesburg District #205 retiring after forty years. She also worked for the former Markham’s Restaurant (former Friendly Café) for many years. Kathy was a former member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Henderson Grove.
She had a love of horses and as a child was a member of 4-H. Kathy and her husband both had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and planting flowers. In her recent years, Kathy used her knitting skills to knit baby sweaters for Midwest Mission in Pawnee, Illinois, making over 80 sweaters in the last two years.
Kathy’s wishes were to be cremated. No services are scheduled. Memorials may be made to the Lymphoma Research Foundation, (www.lymphoma.org) Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services are assisting her family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.h-p-w.com
