Katheryn "Kathy" J Nolan

Katheryn “Kathy” J. Nolan (née Stoy)September 10, 1951 – August 27, 2025

With hearts both heavy and full, we announce the passing of Katheryn “Kathy” J. Nolan, who left this world on August 27, 2025, in Englewood, Florida, at the age of 73. Born in the small town of Prineville, Oregon, Kathy made her way through life with a fierce heart, an open hand, and a wicked sense of humor that could disarm even the most stubborn soul.

Kathy proudly served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Air Force in the 1970s and 80s, where she never backed down from a challenge unless it involved skipping her nightly chocolate. After her military service, she brought her sharp mind and sharper wit to U.S. Airways in Newport News, Virginia. Eventually, she landed as an executive secretary for the Civil Engineering Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base, where she wrangled paperwork, people, and maybe a few egos with effortless grace.

In retirement, she moved to sunny Florida with her beloved husband, the late Douglas Nolan. There, she could be found kayaking, birdwatching, and befriending every scrub jay within a 10-mile radius. (Yes, they knew her name. Yes, they brought friends.)

Kathy was many things: a mother, a sister, a grandmother, a veteran, and a chocolate connoisseur. She was also a *terrifyingly* passionate passenger driver whose loving road rage included some classic family favorites like, “If you hit a trash can, don’t stop, we’re not paying for no d*mn trash can!”

She lived her life as she drove: with conviction, color, and the occasional (okay, frequent) hand gesture.

Her love knew no bounds. She fiercely adored her grandchildren: Jessica, Alexis, Laura, Lizzabeth, Jason (Buddy), Scott, and Terrance, as well as her cherished bonus grandchildren. Kathy was a firm believer that “family is not just blood,” and she had a beautiful habit of welcoming people into her heart and home, often permanently.

Kathy is reunited in peace with her father, Robert Stoy, brother, Randal Stoy, and her loving husband, Doug. She is survived by her mother, Sybil Stoy (Plummer), her children Jeff Stoy, Rebecca Blalock, and Michelle Hammond-Hirschy (and son-in-law Jason Hirschy), her siblings, Rene Blalock, Rod (Pamela), John (Marianne), and Connie Earley (Jim), and her many beloved nieces and nephews: Jennifer, Kimberly, Kerri, Ryan, Rachel, Jackson, and Stanley, Megan, and Kyle.

A Viewing will be held on Friday, September 5, 2025, from 6:00–7:30 PM ET at Englewood Community Funeral Home, 3070 South McCall Road, Englewood, FL 34224.

A Celebration of Life Barbecue (because she wouldn’t have wanted it any other way) will be hosted at Rebecca Blalock’s home on September 13, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET. Bring a story, a dish, and maybe a kayak if you're feeling adventurous. She has requested everyone incorporate some type of purple in their outfit. 

We’ll miss her wit, her warmth, her wisdom, and her lovingly unapologetic attitude. She never burned bridges. She built them, and made sure you had a seat at the table (as long as you didn’t complain about the shellfish and her swollen tongue after eating it). Her legacy is one of love, laughter, loyalty, and just the right amount of sass.

So here’s to Kathy: Air Force vet, family matriarch, bird whisperer, lobster rebel, and the most unforgettable backseat driver this world will ever know.  

In lieu of silence, please send flowers to the Englewood Community Funeral Home for the September 5th service, or to Rebecca Blalock’s home for the September 13th celebration. Chocolate tributes are also welcome, especially the good kind she used to stash by the bed.