Her obituary said she believed in people and giving second chances. And thirds and fourths.
That statement captures the heart and soul of Kathy Folio, who left us far too soon last Monday at the age of 64.
As president of one of the state’s largest beverage distributors, Kathy was a force in the beverage world, learning from her late father, Bernard.
As a female in a business dominated by men, there’s no doubt I’m sure Bernard told her she had to be tough. And she was.
She helped develop North Central Distributors into a statewide wholesaler of beer and wine, and she helped change the state’s wine laws in 1980 and possessed the first wine distribution license in West Virginia, according to her obituary.
I still remember when I first met Kathy while she was serving on Clarksburg City Council.
Some of her fellow council members weren’t fond of her at the time. And they made a point of telling me that.
Then she made a point of telling me, too, not mincing words with what she was sure they called her.
“I know they think I’m a -itch,” she said, not leaving out the first letter.
I’ll never forget that day. She didn’t shy away from it.
All she asked for was a chance to be heard, to share her views.
Since then, Kathy and I had had many conversations that covered many, many topics.
She was extremely intelligent but was always thirsting for more knowledge. She’d research her positions and find varying views.
There were times we’d agree and certainly times we wouldn’t. But we never got angry about it.
It was funny how both of our views on topics would evolve over time. But I found she always wanted what was best for those around her, for her city and state.
After her father’s death, Kathy spent more time focused on business. But she loved to tell me about her daughter and, later, her granddaughters.
She loved to share about her trips to Disney World with her nieces and nephews and how seeing them smile and enjoy life meant so much to her.
We also shared a love for cultural arts, especially choral music and the Scottish Heritage Festival. Her mother was an Andrews, a woman with deep Scottish roots who served as the organist at her church.
Kathy loved to be able to present an annual Christmas Lessons and Carols program that involved groups like the Chanticleer Children’s Choir, the Madrigals and other community choral groups.
I always loved to talk politics with Kathy, whether it was on the local, county, state or national levels. We probably still owe each other a couple lunches or dinners on election wagers that would surprise one or the other of us.
Kathy was highly respected statewide and served on both formal and informal groups that provided guidance for state leaders ranging from Gov. Jay Rockefeller to current Gov. Jim Justice.
For someone with her level of influence, she never was pretentious about it.
I still remember calling Kathy to tell her she’d been chosen to be featured in our NCWV Life Magazine‘s 2015 tribute to influential women.
“What’d you do, run out of candidates?” she said as only Kathy could.
Funny, of all the things we’ve talked about or things I’ve asked, getting her to talk about herself was the toughest.
Perhaps that says more about her than anything else I could say.
One thing’s certain: She definitely left her mark — on everyone from family and friends to those she touched along the way.
She will be missed by them, as well as her community and state. She was an impact person who made a difference. I’m glad I got to know her.
John G. Miller is executive editor WV News’ print and digital platforms. He can be reached at (304) 626-1473 or by email at [email protected].
