Kathleen "Kathy" Baylis

Kathleen (Kathy) D. Baylis, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 15 from complications related to ovarian cancer. Kathy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 8, 1947. She graduated from Indian Hill High School in 1965. She received a BA in psychology from Hillsdale College in 1969, an MS in Education from Indiana University in 1972 and an MBA from Nova Southeastern University in 1996. She is predeceased by her parents, Merritt Don and Mary Lee Baylis (nee Atkisson) and her brothers Stephen and Gregory Baylis. Kathy moved to Venice, Florida in 1972. She worked for Peppertree Bay Association on Siesta Key, Ramar Group Companies and as General Manager of The Plantation Golf & Country Club. In 2011 she retired as the president and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County. Following retirement she was honored to work as an initiative consultant for The Patterson Foundation. Kathy was a tireless volunteer for the betterment of the community she loved. She served as chair of the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce, chair of the South County Resource Center, chair of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, a commissioner and chair of the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority, chair of the Downtown Sarasota CRA Advisory Board and as a member of many, many boards and committees too numerous to mention. Kathy was known for her intelligence and quick wit and was considered a caring, but tenacious leader. Those who worked for and with her remember Kathy as a mentor who taught them to always do the ""right"" thing and always stretch to be the very best you can be. One of her favorite quotes was ""Do the thing you think you cannot do"" Eleanor Roosevelt. Kathy leaves many cousins, friends, and colleagues who loved her including her close friends Susan Stonestreet, Lincolnville Center, Maine and Terri Gable, Sarasota, Florida. A celebration of Kathy's life will be held on Thursday, February 19 at 3 p.m. at St. Andrew United Church of Christ, 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL with a reception to follow at Kathy's home. Kathy and her friends request that in lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Kathy be made to Tidewell Hospice, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34238.