Katherine Barbara Kozlik Brion-Person

Katherine Brion-Person went to her eternal home on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents and first husband, Russell Brion. Kathy was born in Corning, New York to Margaret and Joseph Kozlik. She spent her early childhood enjoying life and attending Corning schools. Kathy graduated from Elmira College Nursing School and married her high-school sweetheart, Russell Brion, in 1977. She worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Arnot-Ogden Hospital in Elmira, New York and then at Corning Hospital in Corning, New York. The couple later moved to Great Bridge, Virginia, and Kathy went to work for Norfolk General Hospital in the Neonatal Special Care Nursery. She loved working in the neonatal unit. Once, when Kathy was asked how she could work with all those sick babies, she replied that the ones that pull through and come back to visit you a year later make it all worthwhile. Russell died in November 1987. Eighteen months later, Kathy met Jeffrey Person on a semi blind date, and they married on June 17, 1989. She continued to work for Norfolk General and retired in September 2020. Kathy was a very crafty individual and enjoyed playing softball in Jr. High School. She pitched in the Cinderella Softball World Series. She won sewing awards as a teenager, loved to bake and provide family and friends with her annual Christmas cookies, and created all kinds of crafts. Her passion was to redecorate and remodel her home. Kathy had a keen eye for style. She was a born shopper and could always find a bargain, never paying full price for anything! Kathy was a creative individual and very determined in any task she undertook. She loved to go to the beach to get away, enjoy the sunshine and ocean, and have a cold Michelob Ultra. Kathy was a kind, generous, and resourceful person. She had a friendly smile. Her family will forever remember her as a truly exceptional wife and a loving mother to her three children, Tyler Brion, Ashten (Eddie) Fruecht, and Kellen (Steven) Robinson. She was dedicated to making their lives better. Those also left behind to cherish her memory are husband Jeffrey Person; brothers Joseph Kozlik (Anne) of Arcadia, FL, William (Mary) Kozlik) of Harker Heights, TX, Richard (Sis) Kozlik of Kill Devil Hills, NC; brother-in-law Jim (Lista) Person of Northville, MI; sister-in-law Charlotte Dugan of Albany, NY, grand fur babies “Mia,” “Ricki”, “Frieta” and “Duke” and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Kathy left us many memories that we will forever hold in our hearts. Grief never ends, but it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. The sense of loss must give way if we’re to value the life that was lived. – Lois Wyse Memory of Me I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one. I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways, Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun, With all of the happy memories that I leave when my day is done. —Author unknown