Katherine R. Gordy, distinguished nurse

 Katherine R. Gordy, 91, of Georgetown passed away Monday, Sept. 6, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. Katherine was born and raised in Georgetown, the daughter of William and Clara Coverdale Roach.

After graduation from Georgetown High School in 1947, Katherine graduated from the Delaware Hospital School of Nursing in 1950, and received her bachelor of science degree from Wilmington College in 1977.  

She married Frank Gordy Sept. 16, 1950, and would have been married to Frank for 71 years this year. They moved to Denver, Colo., in May 1951, where Frank served four years in the U.S. Air Force.   They returned to Georgetown upon his discharge in 1955. They bought a home on E. Laurel St. Extended, where they raised their three children.   They later had a house built at Sussex Tech in 1978 by the students.  It was moved to the Stockley area where they still live.

Katherine began working in the OR at Beebe Hospital with Dr. Beebe.  She had also worked for Dr. Aubrey Smoot, Dr. Albert Wildberger, Dr. Charles Cannon, was school nurse at Sussex Vo-Tech School, and parish nurse at Wesley United Methodist Church. Katherine was named the 1989-90 School Nurse of the Year by the Delaware School Nurses Association.  Her unselfish and professional manner of approaching every task had earned her the respect of her fellow staff members. She retired from Sussex Tech in 1994.

Frank and Katherine traveled extensively to New Zealand, Baltic Sea, Alaska, England, Germany, Russia, Finland, Switzerland, a cruise of the Snake River, Mississippi River Tour and Vancouver National Park by bus.  Katherine also traveled with school nurses to Russia and China in 1985. She was very active in church, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and other activities for her family.

Katherine was a member of the School Nurses Association, and she represented Delaware at the national level for many years traveling all over the country to conventions that were sponsored by the Nurses Association and president.  She spent eight years with the D.S.N.A. as vice president, president and national director.

She was a charter member of Sussex Pines Country Club until 2019.   Katherine was an avid golfer and participated with women’s and couples golf clubs.   She was an active member of Wesley U.M. Church since 1950.  Church and God were always an important part of Katherine’s life.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by in-laws, Frank and Mary Gordy; sister, Betty Ellingsworth; brother, Arnold Roach; brother-in-law, William Ellingsworth; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Swett.

She is survived by her husband, J. Frank Gordy Jr.; children, Mary Jane Short (C. Kenneth) of Millsboro, Joseph F. Gordy III (Nancy) of Lewes, William A. Gordy (Karen) of Wilmington, exchange student from New Zealand from 1972-73, Steve Brocklebank; grandchildren, Charles J. Short (Katie) of Millsboro, Lana F. Short of Millsboro, Ryan D. Gordy and Rebecca Taylor of Wilmington, Megan Gordy of Wilmington; great-grandchildren, Collin and Callie Short; and brother-in-law, Thomas Swett of Unionville, Pa.

 A celebration of her life will be held Sunday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m., at Wesley United Methodist Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown, where friends may call from 1 to 3 p.m.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:  Wesley U.M. Church, 102 E. Laurel St., Georgetown, DE 19947, or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

 The family would like to thank Katherine’s caregivers for their help caring for her, Penny Sharp, Kristie Doyle and Amparo Baker. 

  Online condolences may be submitted to: www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com

Arrangements in the care of Short Funeral Services, Georgetown.