Former Free State and Lawrence high school teacher Kelly Petry knew what she wanted, and she almost always got it.

She set her sights on David Petry, now a baseball coach at LHS, and turned on the charm until a 1998 wedding was set.

She couldn’t have a child because ovarian cancer diagnosed in February 1999 led to a hysterectomy. But she and her husband sidestepped that setback by adopting a baby girl.

Even last week, when Petry was fighting her illness in a hospital bed, she convinced friend and Kansas University men’s basketball coach Roy Williams that she needed a Frosty and he should go get it.

But on Saturday, the woman whom friends described as someone who “makes people better than they really are,” lost her battle with cancer. She was 31.

“A lot of us in town lost one of our best friends we will ever have today,” said Jo Huntsinger, an LHS teacher.

Joe Snyder, Free State principal, remembered Petry as an optimist with lots of pep.

“She was an extraordinarily outgoing, positive human being  full of lots of energy,” he said. “People will miss her sorely.”

Petry taught business and sponsored cheerleading at Free State until a few years ago, when her illness prohibited her from working. Before that she had been a teacher at LHS.

Petry also sponsored student council and was active in Business Professionals of America, frequently taking students to competitions, said Jane Rock, a Free State teacher.

“More than anything, she could just excite kids,” Rock said. “When she walked in a room, it was hard for everyone else not to smile. She just was so positive. … It’s just really sad that she kind of fought an unfair battle.”

Two years ago, when LHS won the 6A state baseball championship, then-first-year coach David Petry credited his wife for helping him through the transition year, even as she went through chemotherapy.

“She’s been with me every step of the way, supporting me and supporting the team,” Petry had said.

Reenie Stogsdill, LHS teacher and softball coach, said Petry “loved being a mom and loved being a wife.”

Her daughter, Katelyn, turns 1 year old today.