After battling seven cancers with immeasurable courage, dignity, grace and humor, Kortne Walsh Waginger, 31 of Cullowhee, N.C., entered her eternal home on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla.
Kortne was born in Sylva, N.C., in 1990. She was a 2008 graduate of Hayesville High School and a graduate of Western Carolina University’s class of 2012, where she received her BSN.
While attending university, Kortne met the love of her life, Brigham Waginger; he was a player on the Western Carolina University Men’s Basketball team, and Kortne was a Western Carolina University cheerleader.
Following her graduation, Kortne pursued her passion for caring for others at Hope Women’s Cancer Center, Mission Hospital and Mission Cancer Center in Asheville, N.C.
Kortne is survived by her husband, Brigham Waginger; her parents, Dee and Tonia Walsh of Peachtree, N.C.; a brother, Alex Walsh and wife Savannah of Robbinsville, N.C.; one sister, Katie Walsh of Knoxville, Tenn.; one bonus sister, Quincey Patterson Rickett (Jason) of Hayesville, N.C.; grandmother, Jo Ford Smith of Scottsdale, Ariz.; aunts, Vickie Walsh of Robbinsville, N.C., Debbie Reighard Duran of Scottsdale, Ariz., Gaye and Benny Orr of Robbinsville, N.C., and Dale and Susie Walsh of Robbinsville, N.C.; cousins, Kyle Orr (Christy) of Robbinsville, N.C., Keenan Walsh of Robbinsville, N.C., Alexis Duran of New River, Ariz. and Harley Duran of Scottsdale, Ariz.; her mother-in-law, Jeanette Waginger of Ironton, Ohio; father-in-law, John Waginger of Hanging Rock, Ohio; bonus mother and father-in-law, Gary and Debbie Hanes of South Webster, Ohio; her brother-in-law, Josh Waginger (Courtney) of Hanging Rock, Ohio; Her brother-in-law, John “Bub” Waginger (Kayla) of Hanging Rock, Ohio; nephews and niece Beckham Waginger, Bentlee Waginger, Barrett Waginger, Boston Waginger and Kase Waginger.
Kortne also leaves behind her beloved three fur babies: Wyndsor, Yeti and Cabella (Belly).
She is preceded in death by grandparents Modeal and Irene Walsh, Jimmy Reighard, and Bill Smith; and cousins, James Orr and Loudon Orr.
On Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022, the family will receive friends from 1-3 p.m. at Lone Oak Baptist Church in Robbinsville, N.C. A celebration of life will follow, officiated by Pastor Josh Hyde of The Bridge Church of Cullowhee, N.C.
Kortne was baptized at age nine at Truett Baptist Church in Hayesville, N.C. Kortne and Brigham attended The Bridge Church in Cullowhee, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Graham County Cancer Support Group, in remembrance of Kortne Waginger.
Donations can be sent to:
P.O. Box 1084
Robbinsville, NC 28771.