Hartland, VT- Kathy Lee Smith, of Hartland, Vermont died in her home on December 9, 2024, surrounded by the love of her daughter and their best friends, Debbie Boudro and Bailey Olmstead.

She was born in Claremont, New Hampshire on October 24, 1966, to William 'Bill' Taft and Brenda (Litchfield) Cormier. Kathy attended Windsor High School before going on to the New England School of Hair Design, which would lead her to her life's work as a hair stylist at Tami's Headlines, Hartland Hair Express, and Bob's Barbershop.

Kathy loved her career, dogs, children, and Aerosmith. Most of all she loved her daughter, Meghan. She lived with intensity-- a self-described, "shotgun life".

Kathy was predeceased by her parents and her niece, Emilee Ashline. She is survived by her daughter, Meghan Place, sisters, Shari Taft, Melony Peters, and Kim Paquette (Mike), her stepfather, Ed Cormier, many wonderful nieces and nephews, ex-husband, Larry Place and his mother, Alice Place, and her dearest friend, Debbie Boudro.

While there will be no formal services or "pity party", a shindig of sorts will be held in her memory after the holidays. Details will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Kathy asks that you "take care of yourself and each other."

Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com