Date of Birth
July 1, 1983
Date of Death
July 28, 2023
Location
Ligonier, Pennsylvania
Cause of Death
Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Who She Was
Her Story
Katharina Tamara “Katy” Altman, 40, of Ligonier, died Friday, July 28, 2023. She was born July 1, 1983, in Greensburg, a daughter of Cindy Lou (Walters) Karr (Bill) and the late Clifford T. Smith.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her uncle, Robin Walters; and her step-mother, Carla Bates.
In addition to her mother, Katy is survived by her husband, Brandon S. Altman; four children, Adilade Rose, Walter Brooks, Ayla Maret, and Whitley Jordan; her grandmother, Marian Walters; her siblings, Carrie Hauer, Ryan Poth, Zach Poth, and Collin Poth; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and all of her brothers and sisters in Christ.
From Katy’s husband Brandon:
Hi world, It’s B. It breaks my heart to write this. Katy-bop, as I’ve called her since we first met, is a Hempfield graduate. She completed IUP for cultural anthropology and achieved a bachelors in arts, minoring in dance and the study of religions. She was a proud member of co-ed frat, Alpha Phi Omega, which opened an opportunity for a trip to several countries in Africa for several months that changed the way she saw the world. (I loved to tease her about how often she would bring that experience up. We couldn’t even watch Lion King! Haha) She was a yoga instructor but enjoyed being a student and finding “her space” even more! She was a fantastic cook and had a loving addiction to all sorts of books and more knowledge. She was a “cause entrepreneur” for One Hope Wine (look it up) and helped raise funds to give to those in need of a blessing. If you ask her, her most important job has been loving on me, the now four AMAZING kids and our ridiculous number of animals (too many to list). We would rescue what needed rescued if we could. That’s kind how she found me I guess. She’s an amazing wife and best friend, but she’s an even more SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS mother. Only word to use! Due to our mutual love for Liberty and this Great Country, we decided that she would make a great stay at home mom and home school our children and instill the GOOD and LIGHT of the world into who they are at their core. She was always shining her LIGHT! She helped with gymnastics tuition for the girls by using her yoga and dance background, and volunteering to help coach the littlest ones. That takes a lot of patience most nights. Lol. Katy felt at home at Elegance Elite in just a short bit and we are family now. Katy and our church, Christian Church of Waterford, took our oldest girl, Adi Rose with them on a Mission trip to the country of Jordan, just one year ago, to share love and hold space with abandoned Christian refugees trying to find a life again. It was an amazing life-changing experience for them both. While there, Katy had the unique opportunity, and our great friend and Pastor, Jesse, baptized my wife right in the Jordan River! With GOD and everyone watching! How grateful can I be for that?! Just before Katy left us, she gave birth to our brand-new baby, and everything with the delivery went exactly as we had prayed it would. A healthy 8lb 13oz baby girl, Whitley Jordan Altman, was born on Friday the 28th. Katy held our baby and acknowledged our blessing, with a full head of hair and anything but brown eyes. Shortly after, catastrophic complications ultimately had the upper hand, and we lost her. Katy was baptized in the Jordan on the 24th of July. July 24th will be the day we will recognize miss Whitley Jordan’s birth and celebrate her life. Katy was the best woman I’ve ever met, and her outpouring of love spread far. Myself, our family, most amazing friends, and her faith in God, always made sure she had a full cup to pour from. These were the bullet points I was asked to handle, and this took forever to write it seemed. The moments are long right now. Please keep us in your prayers! May God bless and keep you all! Katy-Bop’s life will be celebrated to eternity! LOVE B