Our Inspiration

Mary Catherine (Close) Horton was born in 1932. Cathy was one of eight children of her family; who began life on their farm in the rugged mountains of northeastern West Virginia. She became very familiar with hardship and struggle early in life. Those personal challenges experienced in the rural Appalachian Mountains built character and resolve. Cathy was short on neither.

Cathy eventually left that region, married and began a new life in Columbus, Ohio. She brought four children into this world. A mostly self-taught woman, Cathy earned her LPN license in Ohio and became a Nurse. Our Mother provided us with a wonderful, loving and fulfilling childhood. She was highly spirited woman, inspiring her children, to become courageous, kind and true to ourselves.