Kathy Susan Fuller

Kathy Susan Fuller (nee Malott) passed away on December 31, 2020 at Bethesda North Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio at the age of 67. Kathy is survived by her husband, Merrill Fuller; children, Farrah Jackson (Keith) and Douglas Fuller (Lydia); grandchildren, Kiah, Isabelle, Xander, and Eleanor; siblings, Kia Malott (Gail) and Vicki Harstad (Tom); and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Kia Doane and Georgia Mae (Ewing) Malott.

Kathy was born on February 10, 1953 in Mt. Carmel, Illinois to Doane and Georgia Malott. She graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1971 and Wabash Valley College in 1973 with an associate degree.  She married Merrill Fuller, a Crop Specialist on October 20, 1973. Kathy and Merrill raised 2 children and established lifelong friendships in several communities in Eastern Illinois including Bridgeport, Lawrenceville, and Olney before settling in Murphysboro, IL.

Kathy graduated with honors in 1982 from Eastern Illinois University, earning a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, while caring for her young children. The family relocated to Murphysboro, IL in 1983, and Kathy took a job as a pre-school teacher. In 1984, Kathy was hired by Unity Point School in Carbondale, IL. She was employed by Unity Point for 19 years, teaching 5th grade for most of those years. Kathy had a lifelong love of learning, and earned a Master of Science in Education, Curriculum, and Instruction with a specialty in Instructional Technology from Southern Illinois University in 1999. In addition to teaching children during the day, Kathy spent innumerable hours teaching her fellow teachers how to leverage technology in the classroom and participating in a number of technology focused teaching grants. In 1998, she began teaching classes on technology for older beginners at John A. Logan Community College in Carterville, IL. Her proudest career achievement came in 2009 when she was recognized as Illinois History Teacher of the Year.

Kathy had many talents, but she especially enjoyed sewing and embroidery. She was known for her beautiful, embroidered baby quilts. She also loved to make costumes for her grandchildren, ranging from alligators to princesses. She had an infectious laugh and loved to tell a story. She loved animals and raised hundreds of dogs, cats, rabbits, horses, goats, and rodents over the years. She participated in many groups, from Welcome Wagon to Home Extension, and cherished the friendships she developed through those groups. When Kathy and Merrill retired to Cincinnati in 2013 to be near their children and grandchildren, she joined the Welcomers Club of Northern Cincinnati and was an active member and leader over the last 7 years. In her retirement, she also volunteered with the SPCA of Cincinnati and with her daughter at Ensemble Theater Cincinnati and Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

Kathy taught her children and grandchildren many valuable lessons, but the central theme to all of her lessons was the importance of living your passion and loving with all of your heart.

A celebration of life will be planned at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to SPCA Cincinnati at 11900 Conrey Road, Cincinnati,OH 45249 or Ensemble Theater Cincinnati at 1127 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202.