The world lost a beautiful soul on Dec. 6, when Kathie Meyer Bunch, 76, left this earth a better place than she found it.

She died peacefully, after spending the morning tending to her beloved garden outside her Florida home. Her heart was full, coming off of five days spent with all three kids, their partners and spouses, five grandchildren, and two grand-dogs – all gathered in her beachside home for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Kathie was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Feb. 21, 1949, to the late Marie and Carl Meyer. The oldest of eight children, Kathie began to help care for her siblings at a young age. The seeds were planted early for this budding mother, who would evolve into a woman of immense strength and character that lived selflessly and wholly for family.

Kathie met Tom "Tex" Bunch at the University of Dayton, and the two walked hand-in-hand into the beginnings of a beautiful story upon getting married in the summer of 1971.

Settling into their own piece of Ohio countryside, Kathie found the perfect backdrop to satiate her green thumb and ignite her entrepreneurial ambition. With three small children in tow, she launched 'Bunches Herbs & Gifts,' a boutique shop in downtown Chillicothe. Hard work, heart and hustle defined those early years, values she instilled in her three children – the first of many she would impart as part of her lasting legacy.

She pushed them to be and give their best because she knew it was possible. She pressed them to go out into the world and experience it themselves. She urged them to take chances and forge their own path. To stay original, stay honest, and stay strong.

That's how Kathie Bunch lived her life.

Her late husband and college sweetheart passed away in 2015, following the purchase of their home in Ormond-by-the-Sea, Fla. Kathie held it together when others would understand if she fell apart. She put on a brave face and threw herself into volunteer work for the Volusia County Turtle Patrol. Not one to stay stagnant, she focused her energy on raising awareness and support for a cause and creature close to her heart – sea turtles.

She was a woman who stood for what she believed in – she had a softness in her voice and Italian fire in her heart. After Hurricane Matthew devastated the beach access point near her neighborhood in 2016, she found something new to fight for as she quickly took ownership of the effort to rebuild it.

She revived a dormant neighborhood association, served for many years as its President, and connected an entire community. She spearheaded the beautification and revitalization of a neighborhood park overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, launching the beginnings of a community hot spot – where strangers became friends and gatherings became memories for a network of neighbors brought together by a woman from Ohio who decided it was never too late to start living.

Forever a flower child, she called herself a 'fun, funky, family-first Floridian.' She operated at high speed, with a get-it-done attitude and defiant resolve. She fought hard but stayed humble. She brought beauty to everything and everyone around her. To be loved by Kathie is to be loved fiercely, relentlessly, and eternally.

She lived out her later years with a renewed sense of purpose, freely pursuing her passions of gardening, cooking, traveling, painting, and visiting and hosting her close-knit family – where the laughter never stopped and life was really – truly – lived. Her legacy of love, laughter and life lives on.

She is survived by her three children, Jonathon (Mary) Bunch, Ryan (Jennifer) Bunch, and Brooke Marie Bunch; five grandchildren, Thomas Booker Bunch, Elizabeth Catherine Bunch, Beckem Ryan Bunch, Ryan Anthony Bunch, and Broden Thomas Bunch; and seven siblings, Mark (Mary Ellen) Meyer, Tom (Sandra) Meyer, Mitch (Eileen) Meyer, Gregg Meyer, Mike (Dayna) Meyer, Barbara (George) Lampros, and Tracey (Eric) Schmidt.

She is preceded in death by her late husband, Judge Thomas Edward Bunch, her late mother, Marie Meyer, and late father, Carl Meyer.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at her Florida home to honor her personal wishes. In true Kathie fashion, she wanted others to focus on the good memories, to laugh and come together to celebrate the gift of life with family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, etc., the family asks for donations to the Judge Thomas and Kathie Bunch Memorial Fund, which supports the causes closest to their hearts – victim assistance programs, education, the arts, and environmental causes. Contributions can be made through the Chillicothe‑Ross Community Foundation at crcf.net .