Katharine Clifford

Katharine Michelle Clifford Kathy, 41, passed away on February 15, 2013. She was born in Los Angeles on December 20, 1971. Her family moved to Indianapolis in 1982 into their family home in Woodruff Place. Kathy attended Tech High School. Kathy was an incredible pastry chef with a love of adventure, fun and laughter. She lived her life with grace, purpose and honor. She relished in others' happiness and had a positive and happy outlook on life. If you were lucky enough to know Kathy, her spirit and zest for life were infectious. She was a quiet sage, a generous friend and a joy to know. Kathy attended the Recording Workshop in Ohio in her early twenties and became a sound engineer. She found an outlet for her love of music by running sound for various acts at clubs, state fairs and other venues. She also worked at bistros, bakeries and restaurants and found her love of baking and cooking. Kathy's passion for travel led her to Killarney, Ireland where she lived from 1998-2003. She made life lasting friendships with many and was known to all as 'American Kate'. She worked in a family restaurant and traveled throughout Ireland. Upon her return to the United States, Kathy's passion for pastries led her to attend the Ivy Tech Community College Culinary program where she earned her Associates of Science degree. She worked at restaurants and bakeries and was thrilled when she was offered the opportunity to teach at Ivy Tech during the past six years. Chef Clifford is described by her students as inspiring, fun, and courageous with an endless knowledge of baking. She has touched countless lives as teacher, mentor and friend. She was honored as the Most Influential Female Chef in Indianapolis in the fall of 2012. Her death has left many celebrating her life, while mourning our loss, including her mother Denita Clifford, her father Dan Clifford; her sister Colleen Clifford Hughes and her husband George; her brother Sean Clifford and his son Jack; her brother Danny Clifford; her sister Jessica Aho and her husband Jake; her stepmother Petra Clifford; her cousins, aunts and uncles; and hundreds of friends and students. We will gather to celebrate Kathy's life and spirit at 4:00 pm, Monday, February 18, 2013 at Flanner and Buchanan- Broad Ripple, 1305 Broad Ripple Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46220. A service will begin at 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Katharine Clifford's honor to the Ivy Tech Foundation, www.ivytech.edu/giving, to support the education and training of future pastry chefs.