Kathleen Flynn Bright, 81, of North Liberty, Iowa, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2026, at The Bird House in Iowa City, Iowa.
Kathy was born on January 25, 1945, in Burlington, Iowa to Lloyd and Marian (Klotzbach) Flynn. After graduating from Burlington High School, Kathy attended the University of Iowa and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
On April 30, 1965, she married Stephen Frederic Bright in Burlington and to their union five children were born: Patrick Allen, Brian James, Sara Hope, David Jason, and Amy Kathryn. Upon their graduations from the University of Iowa, Steve and Kathy resided in Oak Park, Illinois before returning to Iowa City in 1969, when Steve entered law school. They made their home there until 1996, when they moved to Jamison, Pennsylvania. In 2002, they moved to Salida, Colorado and returned to Iowa in 2024, residing in North Liberty.
Kathy spent her working life as an artist. She co-owned The Weaving Studio in Iowa City from 1983 until 1996 and later operated her own weaving business, Indian Hills Handwovens. In 1988, Kathy and Steve bought their first two llamas, Sinbad and Matisse. Within a few years, she had started a llama breeding business named Indian Hills Llamas, which she operated for more than thirty years on farms in Iowa City, Iowa; Buena Vista, Colorado; Jamison, Pennsylvania; and Salida, Colorado. Kathy was a quilter, knitter, spinner, ceramicist, painter, and jewelry maker, but above all, she was a weaver. She maintained a “loom room” in every family home for more than fifty years. Her award-winning works were recognized in publications and at wool festivals.
In her personal life, Kathy loved traveling, including many cruises and international trips, with her favorite being a trip to Africa with Steve. She loved reading, with James Galvin, Stephen King, and Jodi Picoult among her favorite writers. She was a musician, and played the piano, pipe organ, handbells, and dulcimer. She loved the color blue. She always enjoyed a good thunderstorm. She was a relentless rock collector. She made great doughnuts. Her greatest joy in her life was her family, and she treasured her time with them.
Kathy is survived by her devoted husband, Steve; three of her children: Sara Bright (Kevin Hebl), of Oxford, Iowa; David (Heather) Bright, of Iowa City, Iowa; and Amy (Dolan) Potts, of Salida, Colorado; seven grandchildren: Alexandra Bright, Andrew Braverman, Piper Bright, Truman Bright, Sullivan Bright, Kellen Forschmiedt, and Pepper Potts; her brother and sister-in-law, Tim and Val Flynn, of Incline Village, Nevada; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Diane and Fred Leavitt, of Piedmont, California; five nieces (Jennifer Flynn, Kelly Flynn, Megan Flynn, Jessica Leavitt, and Melanie Leavitt Cantarutti); and one nephew (Gavin Naumoff). She was preceded in death by her parents and two children: Patrick and Brian.
Kathy’s family is eternally thankful for the care that she received at The Bird House and through Iowa City Hospice. Her family is especially grateful to her caregivers, Chrismathe and Lauren, who helped her at a time of life when she needed it most.
A private family service will be held on Mother’s Day, with a celebration of life to be held later. Memorial donations may be made to Iowa City Area Craft Guild, The Bird House, or Iowa City Hospice.