Katherine Ann Malone

Katherine Ann Malone, 38, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, passed away on December 22, 2025, at her home.

Katherine was born on September 20, 1987, in Denver, Colorado, to Kristine Sellers (formerly Malone, née Warren) and Richard Malone. She spent her early childhood in Colorado and later in Gurnee, Illinois. Throughout her youth, she spent summers in Harbor Springs swimming and playing golf with her family, and she later moved there permanently as a freshman in high school.

Katherine graduated from Harbor Springs High School and completed some college coursework following graduation. She carried an adventurous and free spirit throughout her life, living in several places and always seeking new experiences. She spent time in Chicago and Denver, Missouri, and especially Lake Tahoe, California—a place she deeply loved for its mountains and natural beauty. She later returned to Harbor Springs, where she found comfort and peace in Lake Michigan, the beach, and the surrounding natural landscape.

Katherine had a deep appreciation for the world around her. Both Lake Michigan and Lake Tahoe held a special place in her heart, and she loved swimming whenever she could. She loved animals, being outdoors, and found joy in herbs, flowers, swimming, and time spent in nature. She was passionate about craft beer, specialty foods and drinks, thrifting (especially with her mom), alternative medicine, natural remedies, and—most of all—caring for people.

Katherine was wildly creative and deeply enjoyed painting and music. She delighted in small personal joys, including collecting flowers, artwork, hats, and ducks. She had a particular fondness for ducks, something those closest to her will always remember. Katherine was also an incredible cook and a loving caretaker.

Most of all, Katherine had a huge heart, loved deeply, and lived life out loud. She laughed often and fully, and that joy stayed with people. Again and again, others have shared how her infectious laugh, her smile, and her kindness are what they remember most. It is common when someone passes to say they lit up a room or had an infectious smile or laugh—but Katherine truly embodied a spirit that shone through to everyone she encountered. She made friends everywhere she went. Her heart was a big place, with a deep capacity and desire to understand others’ joy, pain, humor, and struggles. Those who knew her will miss her loving spirit deeply. It is impossible to capture her beauty in just a few words.

Katherine is survived by her mother, Kristine Sellers (formerly Malone, née Warren); her brothers, Nathaniel Baker (Kimberly) and Jacob Baker; her sister, Erin Malone; and her nieces and nephew, Estella, Guinevere, and Beckett. She is also survived by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and a nephew.

She was preceded in death by her father, Richard Malone.

Services for Katherine will be held on January 3, 2026, at Stone Funeral Home. Visitation will take place at 10:30 a.m., with services to follow at noon. A celebration of life will be held afterward at Gypsy Distillery, located at 5251 Charlevoix Avenue, Petoskey, Michigan 49770.

Flowers are welcome as a reflection of Katherine’s love of beauty, nature, and life. For those who wish, donations may also be made in Katherine’s memory to North Country Community Mental Health or to organizations supporting addiction recovery or alternative healing.

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