Kathryn "Katie" Busby

Kathryn Dougherty Busby, 101, of Largo, FL, passed away on August 23rd, 2025 at Regal Palms in Largo, FL.

Kathryn Busby was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on 12-09-1923. Her parents were Waldo William Dougherty and Ethel Moore. Katie went to school in Vigo County, Indiana. After graduating from Pimento High School, she attended Indiana State where she achieved a BA as a teacher educator in Home Economics in 1945. She taught in the Gary, Indiana school system. Katie furthered her education at Purdue University with a MA in nutrition. Katie was very successful in her teaching career and eventually became Home Economics Director for the Gary school system, grades 6-12. She retired at 53 years of age. Katie belonged to two professional sororities, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Katie married Eugene Busby in 1972. Eugene worked for US Steel in Gary, Indiana. They were married in Merrillville, IN. Eugene graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington. They relocated to Bellaire, FL in 1977. Katie and Eugene were avid travelers during their marriage and Katie continued her travels with friends until the last few years of her life. Katie visited multiple destinations in six of the seven continents. Katie was also a huge sports fan. There wasn’t a game she wouldn’t watch. Katie’s mental acuity remained with her throughout her life. Her recall was amazing.

Katie was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene in 2004, her brother Keith and sister-in law Jackie Dougherty in 2022, her parents Waldo and Ethel and her great nephew, Mitchell Abrams. Katie is survived by her nieces Jan Dougherty Wenzel and Dru Dougherty, nephew Kurt Dougherty, daughter in law Marilyn Carpenter and nine great nieces and nephews. Katie had many friends and she will be greatly missed. She had a wildly interesting and fulfilling life. She felt extremely grateful and fortunate. The service will be at a later date and will be for immediate family.