KATHLEENE "KATHY" STERLING, 59, of Princess Anne and formerly of Berryville, Virginia near Winchester, died Thursday, February 12, 2009 at her home following a long illness.

Born in Crisfield, Maryland on June 11, 1949, she was a daughter of Joan M. Somers Sterling of Crisfield and the late Raymond Tom Sterling who died in 1997.

A 1967 graduate of Crisfield High School and a 1971 graduate of University of Maryland College Park, she was a manager for many years of Lanza Laboratories based in Frederick, MD and Salisbury, MD.

Kathy loved to travel, especially to Europe, but most of all was an equestrian enthusiast. She raised and bred American Warmblood horses and also developed and recently registered a new breed of sheep, Harlequin Sheep.

She is survived by her mother, Joan M. Sterling of Crisfield; two sisters and brothers-in- law, Sandy and David Kulley of Marion Station, MD and Tina and Joe Cossaboom of Salisbury; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom and MyPhuong Sterling of Fairfax Station, VA and Chris and Vanessa Sterling of Crisfield; nieces and nephews, Jenna Carman, Caiti and Becca Cossaboom, Ben and Sam Sterling, and Nate and Emily Sterling; several cousins and other close family members; and a network of equestrian friends along the east coast and mainly in Virginia.

A private graveside memorial service will be held in Sunnyridge Memorial Park in Crisfield. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to be made to the Richard A. Hensen Cancer Institute, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, 100 E. Carroll Street, Salisbury, MD 21801 or to The Equine Rescue League, P.O. Box 4366, Leesburg, VA 20177.

Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield. To send condolences to the family, please visit www.bradshawandsonsfuneralhome.com