Mrs. Kathy Ann Valente, 66, of Franklin, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 20, 2026, after a courageous battle against cancer.

Born on February 7, 1960, at a United States military base in Zaragoza, Spain, Kathy was the beloved daughter of the late John H. Peters and Colleen Ann Calahan Peters.

Kathy will forever be remembered for her quick wit and sense of humor, despite the many hardships life tried to throw at her. She was the person who could talk and laugh on the phone for hours, deep into the wee hours of the night – she had a gift for conversation and never met a stranger. She taught everyone around her the importance of independence, even when threatened by illness. Her fierce personality and Irish spirit stood strong, and she never backed away from a challenge despite the odds being seemingly stacked against her.

But her true love was family. She was genuinely the glue of her family. She loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother/ "Noni". Her daughters were the center of her world – she was always there for them, never missing a single school performance, sporting event, and the everyday moments that define two feisty teenagers growing up in a small town. Becoming "Noni" brought her even more joy, and she cherished the flood of pictures, voice memos, and time spent with her grandchildren Elia and Evan.

Kathy and her beloved husband, Richard, shared a devoted marriage built on friendship, faithfulness, and love. Through life's joys and hardships, they remained by one another's side for 41 years. They found joy and laughter in the small moments even during these months defined by cancer.

Kathy also had a soft spot for animals. She loved her dogs, cats, horses; even the accidentally purchased iguana bought by her daughter, Marie, at a school auction. The rabbits that suddenly multiplied, the "miniature" potbelly pig that turned out to be a full-grown hog, the chickens that kept returning to the yard. Any animal that showed up on the front porch immediately had a spot on the couch and in the family.

A member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Kathy found strength and comfort in her faith throughout her life. She was not afraid to return home next to her Lord, and will be watching over her family, friends, and animals peacefully from heaven.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Richard Frank Valente; her daughters, Marie Valente and Jessica Valente and her husband, Ryan DeMars; her treasured grandchildren, Elia DeMars and Evan DeMars; her brothers and sisters-in-law, Danny Peters, Pat and Terri Peters, and Tommy and Kathy Peters; her sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Randy Vipond; and many extended family members and dear friends whose lives were made richer by knowing her.

In addition to her parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her sisters, Judith Baranik and Mary Calhoun, and her brother, Tim Peters.

Kathy will be forever remembered for her resilience, tenacity, and the deep love and commitment to her family and her friends. Her sense of humor and devotion will live on in all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends at Martin & Hightower Funeral Home on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made in Kathy's memory to the Humane Society of Carroll County, in honor of her lifelong love for animals, or to the American Cancer Society, in support of the ongoing fight against cancer.

Donations may be made to:

Carroll County Humane Society

P.O. Box 1304

Carrollton, GA 30112

https://www.carrollcountyhumane.org/donate/

American Cancer Society

P.O. Box 6704

Hagerstown, MD 21741

https://donate.cancer.org

Martin & Hightower Funeral Home is honored to serve the Valente family during this difficult time. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com.