In the early morning hours of September 2, 2014, Katie Marie Bly (formerly Rush), age 80, of Toms Brook, VA left her loved ones to be with The Lord and her loving husband of 50 years, Harry. Missed deeply by her family, she was the mother of two daughters, Sandra M. Mulrooney of Kissimmee, FL and Pamela M. Salovich of Mims, FL. Mrs. Bly was born September 8, 1933 in Edinburg, VA to the late Earl D. Rush and Anna Virginia (Foster) Rush. She was a long time resident of Toms Brook, VA where she lived as a child and in her retirement years. After attending school and while working as a waitress, Katie met and fell in love with her lifelong sweetheart, Harry M. Bly. On September 14, 1951 the young couple were united in marriage at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Harry's hometown of Strasburg, VA. Shortly after their wedding, the young couple moved to Washington, D.C. where they welcomed their first daughter, Sandra. After a few years, they purchased their first home in Cabin John, MD where they had their second daughter, Pamela. Several years later they moved to Rockville, MD where they raised their family. Upon Harry's retirement in 1975, the couple moved back to the area they had always called home in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Katie's first cousin, Jane (Foster) Mitchell and her husband, Charles Mitchell, were lifelong companions of the Blys. They spent many happy weekends boating and fishing together along the Shenandoah River in Front Royal, VA. Katie and Harry retired to this area before subsequently moving back to Toms Brook, VA. After her husband's demise in 2002, Katie resided in Toms Brook, VA where she spent time with family, friends, and her fellow church family. In September, 2012, Katie relocated to her younger daughter's home in the Sunshine State of Florida. While in Florida, Katie enjoyed gardening and learning about exotic flowers. She spent time exploring new sites and experiencing attractions with her daughter and granddaughters. She became an avid puzzle fan and created beaded jewelry to give to her loved ones. Katie had a natural talent for the arts and loved to immerse herself in handcrafts of all kinds. She took a special interest in sewing and gardening, as evidenced by her overflowing flower gardens. She also grew a vegetable garden well into her later years. Her biggest joy came in visits with family and friends, especially grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren. Everyone who knew Katie knew that she loved people, especially children. Her gracious and giving spirit was always appreciated and admired. Katie's strong faith in God led her to be a devoted member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Toms Brook, VA where she was involved in several church groups and many activities. In addition to her daughters, Katie is survived by four granddaughters, Karen D. (Fling) Miller of Fredericksburg, VA, Michelle Mulrooney of Austin, TX, and Caitlin and Natalie Salovich of Kissimmee, FL. She was also blessed with two great grandsons, Jacob Crouse and Zachary Miller of Fredericksburg, VA. Katie left behind many other family members and dear friends whom she loved deeply, notably her nephew, Randy Rush and his wife, Polly, of Maurertown, VA, who helped her in her latter years. Another friend, Vincent Calvano, assisted her with many varied tasks. Along with her parents and her husband, Katie was preceded in death by three siblings, Janet (Rush) Glover, Dortha (Rush) Sibert, and Paul Rush. A Funeral service for Mrs. Bly will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 10, 2014 at Stover Memorial Chapel with Rev. Deanna Boynton officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Stover Funeral Home on Tuesday evening 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Memorials may be made in Katie's name to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 104, Toms Brook, VA 22660 or Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601