Mrs. Kathleen L. Dauphney

Kathleen Louise Couture Dauphney

Kathleen Dauphney was born in Orlando, Florida, on December 23, 1956 to Mary and Bill Couture. At the time of her birth, she already had four brothers and three sisters, and was followed by three more sisters.

The Coutures’ was always a full house, which often included a dog of some breed, mostly German Shepherds, although they once had a chihuahua. There were so many children, there was hardly any room for pets!

Kathy attended St. Andrew Elementary School, Orlando Christian [Middle] School, and Maynard Evans High School. She briefly attended Valencia Community College as well, taking piano class.

Kathy was always able to make friends easily—and those friendships usually lasted a lifetime. She had a way of breaking the ice with new people and making them feel welcomed and liked.

Kathy had many interests and talents. She collected Madame Alexander dolls and holiday/seasonal pins. She also had a gift for painting. She painted pictures, ornaments, and clothing. She also had a beautiful singing voice. She and her sisters would sing together often and Kathy was especially good at harmonizing. There was always a lot of singing, music, and laughter between the Couture girls.

Kathy’s parents used to take the family camping with a big group of extended family members. They had a great time with their cousins. The family also had a trailer in Ocala where they went camping. Kathy did not enjoy that particular camping venue. It usually involved a lot of chores and bugs. Kathy used to call it the “God-forsaken waste barren Hell hole”.

When the family camped at the beach on the jetty, their father took them crabbing and fishing. Kathy had a lifelong love of the beach and went on many summer vacations to the ocean.

As a teen, Kathy joined the St. Andrew Youth Choir and sang with them at the guitar mass every Sunday. She was also in the choir at Maynard Evans High School, which performed in competitions. They even won once while she was a member.

Kathy had a very effective way of dealing with difficult people. She was one of the only people who could stand up to her very strict father and get away with it. At the same time, she was the family peace maker and welcome wagon, and invited anyone in need of a place to stay to make her home theirs.

After high school, Kathy went to work at Handy City, where she met Peter Dauphney. They became friends and even both left Handy City for Timber Products. Before long, Pete and Kathy became a couple. They married on April 26, 1986. Kathy was so happy to be married and had always wanted a family. In 1992, her dreams came true when she gave birth to her daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” Dauphney. Libby was Kathy’s pride and joy. Kathy enjoyed everything about raising her precious daughter and they were very close.

Kathy loved family. She hosted a Christmas Eve gathering every year and filled her house with siblings, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and family friends. She often included family on vacations, taking several cruises with her parents, visiting her sister in Tennessee, and staying with Pete’s family in New Hampshire. She enjoyed crafting with family gals of various generations every other week at her sister Jenny’s house. She even helped make wedding decorations and food for two nieces’ weddings. All major holidays involved family for Kathy. She wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Kathy was an amazing cook. She baked cookies from her mother’s family recipes, tried new dishes often, and always contributed delicious treats at every family gathering. She was extremely generous too, helping family members with financial needs and giving them things she knew they would love.

Just before the holidays in 2014, Kathy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She decided to do whatever she needed to do to fight it, which included surgery and chemo among other things. She trusted God and did not give up until her body, weakened from years of chemo and several illnesses, could not fight any more. She passed away on July 30th, surrounded by family and friends. She will be deeply missed always. A light has gone out in the world.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Peter Dauphney; daughter Elizabeth Dauphney; brothers: Billy Couture (Carole), Patrick Couture (Susan), Bobby Couture (Pam), Frank Couture (Linda); sisters: Ann Grabbit, Patricia Myers (Kenneth), Sr. Diane Couture, Janette Riffle (Robert), and Theresa Couture; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.