January 16, 1971- September 10, 2023
To all those who loved Kandi and who Kandi adored- we won’t name everybody because you know who you are (she gave many of you special nicknames). Kandi passed away suddenly on September 10, 2023. This won’t be a traditional obit because that won’t capture the essence of Kandi.
Kandi grew up in Antioch, Illinois. She was athletic: playing softball, bowling, and she was an awesome swimmer. Watching her do the butterfly was incredible! She had many friends. She lived in Cozumel, Mexico for a few years, and Wisconsin Dells for some time.
She was beautiful, strong, smart, funny, wild, opinionated, adventurous and loving all wrapped up in one. She loved music (especially Metallica). She loved baseball (Grandpa Rossi- Go Cubs Go), she loved football (JJ Watt) and wrestling. She spent so much time with her Daddy watching all sports (the son he never had). She was wearing her JJ Watt jersey when a handsome stranger walked up to her and said “if you turn that W upside down it spells Matt” and the romance began.
Her fiancé (Matt Glaze) and Kandi relocated to Cedartown, Georgia. Matt was her future.
Although Kandi didn’t have any children, they soon expanded their family with Mabelline (her fur baby). Kandi loved Mabel so much and Mabel loved her more. There’s nothing like the pure love from a pet.
We all suspect that Mabel may be the reason that Kandi gave up on the University of Wisconsin-Madison (JJ Watt’s alma mater) and started rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs.
We have so many memories of Kandi. Please share your favorite memory/story when you sign the guestbook.
A formal celebration of life may not be possible because everyone lives in so many different places, so please raise a glass and celebrate Kandi in a way that you think she would enjoy.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by visiting our website and signing the online guestbook at gammagefh.com.
The Olin L. Gammage and Son Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Ms. Kandi Lee Portalski.
