Kathie L. Francis Droter, age 78, of New Market, passed away on Friday, December 9, 2022 at her home, after a two-year illness. She leaves behind her husband Robert Joseph Droter, her three children, Dana K. Meyer (Steven) of Ft. Myers FL., Dr. Robert Jeffery Droter, DPT (Jennifer) of Fairfax, VA, and Kristen M. Hughes (Timothy) of Columbia, MD, as well as three grandchildren, Jackson and Summer Hughes of Columbia, MD and Declan Droter of Fairfax, VA. She also leaves behind her sister, Paula Jones of King George, VA.
She was the seventh of nine children of William and Kathryn Francis. She was born in Takoma Park, MD where she grew up and attended Montgomery Blair High School, class of 1962. She graduated in 1966 from the University of Maryland, majoring in Art Education. She also completed a Master’s degree during her teaching years in the Montgomery County Public School System as an Art Teacher. Her specialty was water color and acrylics. She taught at all three levels of the school system and put in twenty-two years of service between Prince Georges County and Montgomery County.
She married her husband Bob on August 19, 1967 and celebrated 55 years of marriage during which she raised three children, worked as an Art Teacher and traveled the world. She was an active member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary (the Knight Lights) with St. Peter the Apostle Council in Libertytown and served as first lady of her husband’s council in Libertytown, as well as the Fourth Degree Assembly #2595, Maryland District 25 and the S.E.A.S. Chapter of Grand Knights in Western Maryland. She loved helping people and traveling with her husband. She traveled far and wide visiting Western and Central Europe, Russia, all the Nordic Countries, the Mediterranean countries as far as Istanbul and the Black Sea, as far South as Tasmania and Central and Eastern Australia as well as New Zealand, Northern South America, the Eastern part of Central American Countries and Canada. She always visited an art museum, antiquities and the highest point in the area. They traveled by Coach Tours, Cruise Lines and their own road trips. In the United States she visited all but two states, Nebraska and North Dakota.
She never faltered during her illness, giving it, her all as was her style. Her warmth and personality will be missed by her family, friends and those who knew her.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Hartzler Funeral Home-Libertytown, 11802 Liberty Rd., Frederick.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 16th at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 9201 Green Valley Rd., Union Bridge with Rev. Fr. Chuck Wible as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to: St Peter the Apostle Parish, Libertytown, MD, the Home Care Unit of Frederick Memorial Hospital, Shepherd’s Staff of Frederick, MD. |