Kathryn A. Marquis

As a youngster, Kathryn Ann Straub Marquis would adventure (some might say run away) from the family home and across the millrace to enjoy a front porch visit with an elderly neighbor. Her spirit was independent and compassionate from the start on October 4, 1942. Her immediate family: Michelle “Mixhi” Earle Marquis (offspring),  Carl Hubbell (formerly married to Michelle and still maintaining favorite son-in-law status) and Katie Bast (soon to be daughter in-law) reflect that until recently they hadn’t seen Kathy sit for more than 5 minutes, except at cocktail time.  In the past several months Kathy was courageous, graceful and at times ornery (rightly so) as her body wouldn’t allow her the independence she fought so intensely to maintain.

Kathy married Thomas Marquis, who preceded her in death in 2018, in September of 1970 in Goshen and they had one child. As an only kid, Mixhi was fortunate to spend so much time with her mom and be included in many of her activities. “Hot rod” rides to school in Kathy’s Gremlin for Mixhi and her friends grew into a lifetime enjoyment of motorsports for Mixhi. Whether an athletic, academic, or advocacy event, Kathy was most always there cheering Mixhi on and finding ways to support the activity at hand. Kathy had a gift for gardening and had fun watching Mixhi discover her own joy in gardening in recent years. She was an animal lover and was often game to help with whatever creature Mixhi was fostering or adopting at the time. She was fond of (most) of her many grand-furbabies. Kathy treasured time with Mixhi and was very happy they were able have a number of travel adventures together in recent years.

Kathy adored her parents, Diana Earle Clayton Straub and Louis Henry Straub as well as her siblings, Chuck Straub and Myrna Clayton Beachy (passed in 2020). She enjoyed the company of Tom’s siblings, Shirley Marquis Swartz (passed in 2018) and Don Marquis (passed in 2021). Kathy was well loved by her nieces and nephews. She graduated from Goshen High school in 1960, where she was a majorette, and then received a Bachelor’s Degree from Indiana State University. Out of college, she worked with the Department of Social Services and children in foster care.  Eventually she took over her father’s business, Covercraft, which she owned and managed for close to 20 years. She was a community leader, advocate for equality and a dreamer grounded in practicality. Kathy was recently given a key to the City of Goshen by Mayor Jeremy Stutsman in appreciation for being so diligent in working to leave the world a better place. Some of her many contributions include:  founding member of the Goshen Human Rights Commission and Diversity Day, Parks and Recreation Board, Sister City Commission, Board of Works, co-initiator of Meals on Wheels in Goshen, founding co-coordinator of the ethnic fair at Goshen College, committed member (local past president) of American Association of University Women, member of the League of Women Voters, active member of PFLAG, a US Swimming official for the Goshen Gators.  Kathy and Tom moved to Sarasota, Florida (2005-2015) and Kathy continued her community involvement by serving on both the city and county park and recreation boards as well as working part time as a substitute teacher.

She held strong beliefs in democracy and equality.  She supported equal rights for women, equal pay for women, racial equality and, later, equality for LGBTQ+ people.  Kathy had many friends, family and acquaintances with belief systems and political leanings different from her own with whom she had caring and respectful relationships. She was voting with her feet from a young age—family lore indicates that at a young age, she and a friend left a club when they discovered that girls with dark skin were not permitted to be members.  She participated diligently in the democratic process as a poll worker and precinct chair for many elections during her life.

Kathy was a lifelong caregiver, when she could lend a hand to someone, she would.  She will be remembered as always game to help with a project or spending time with a friend:  weeding a garden, picking marigolds for Day of the Dead, making masks and gowns for health care workers during COVID, sitting with a friend during a difficult time, a kayak trip on the river, a hike at Pokagon. She loved being in the sun, swimming, and playing tennis. Kathy was also humble and not fond of recognition, so we’re pretty sure she wouldn’t be pleased with the length of this tribute (sorry mom)!

During the last months of her life, there were many people who surrounded her and her family with care and while it was difficulty for Kathy to accept care, she was always grateful.  Her family would like to express gratitude to Goshen Hospice, Caring for Hoosiers, Dr Barb Meyer, Mosaic Health and Healing Arts staff, her Swartz nieces (Margaret, Sandy and Sarah) and the dear friends near and far who so lovingly journeyed with us all.

Visitation will be held at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Thursday, April 21, 2022 from 6:00-8:00pm

A graveside service and celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11am at Violett Cemetery and with a celebration of life immediately following.

Memorial donations can be made to Mosaic Health and Healing Arts, 330 Lakeview Drive, Goshen, IN 46528; https://mosaichha.org/