Kathleen Marie Hart

"I want to be remembered as a loving mother of four children and devoted wife to Tom." Kathy Hart passed away on October 10, 2023 while undergoing hospice care at Kingston Sylvania. She was 87. Kathleen Marie (Smith) Hart was born April 22, 1936, in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Growing up in the late 1930s and 1940s, Kathy's dream was to "marry a nice boy, have a good family and become a teacher." She not only achieved her dream, but she exceeded it in countless ways, building a beautiful life with her childhood sweetheart. Though he was lost too young, they are now reunited, and for that, the entire family is grateful. She is already deeply missed. Kathy moved four times before arriving in Toledo in sixth grade due to the nature of her father, Frank Smith's, work. After finishing grade school, Kathy went to Toledo's Catholic Central High School from 1950 to 1954 and attended Toledo University from 1954 to 1958. Kathy was a student at Rosary Cathedral Elementary School when she met a fellow student named Tom. It didn't take long before she and Thomas R. Hart became sweethearts for life. Starting as a student, Kathy was involved in various organizations and activities. During high school, she was salutatorian of the Class of 1954, Vice President of her senior class and a member of the Student Council for four years. Additionally, she was a Homecoming Queen attendant and May Queen candidate. At Toledo University, Kathy graduated cum laude, was a member of the Mortar Board, served in the Student Senate, was a member of Delta Delta Delta social sorority and was selected to appear in "Who's Who in American Colleges." Kathy and Tom were married in the summer of 1958. Tom worked in his aunt and uncle's shoe store, Hoskins Junior Footwear, during college and continued until he was called to report for the active duty portion of his commitment to the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps. Tom graduated as a second lieutenant. After earning her degree in education, Kathy began teaching at Toledo Public School's Sherman Elementary. While pregnant with their first child, Kathy learned that Toledo schools required teachers to stop teaching at five months pregnant. This policy enabled Kathy to join Tom at Fort Lee in Virginia. About six weeks before Kathy's due date, Tom's father died. Reluctantly, the base doctor permitted Kathy to travel to Toledo. The day after Jay Hart's funeral, Kathy was visiting her mother and began to feel unfamiliar "twinges." Their daughter, Sheila, was ready to be born. In total, the Harts had four children - Sheila in 1959, Mike in 1960, Mary Lynn in 1962 and Tim in 1964. As her family grew, Kathy fulfilled the roles expected of a young mother She was active in the Brownies and Girl Scouts, became a tennis mom and cheered the boys as they played football and baseball. She also developed an interest in bridge and began playing tennis. Over the years, Kathy continued to play bridge and dedicated a decade to volunteering with the Toledo chapter of the Christ Child Society serving at-risk children in need. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Tom, her parents, Frank and Dorothy Smith and Frank's second wife, Viola, whom he married after her mom's passing. Surviving are her children Sheila (Rick) Chiricosta of Avon Lake, OH, and their children, Matt Chiricosta (Erica), Christine Dieken (Spencer) and Nikki McFall (Pat); Mike (Kelly McKee) of Holland, OH, and their children, Zak Hart (Kristen) and Shannon Hart (engaged to Trey Hicks); Mary Lynn (Scott) Burns of Holland, OH, and their children, Sean Burns (Chelsea) and Lauren Burns; Tim (Lori Buroker) of Bozeman, MT, and their children, Nathan Hart (Rachel), Erica Hart and Tommy Hart. She is also survived by her brother, Rick Smith (Lori) of Hilton Head, NC, and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services are being handled by Coyle Funeral Home. A visitation will be at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church on Friday, October 27 from 9:30-11:00 AM followed by a Catholic Mass at St. Joan of Arc at 11 AM. Burial will follow at Toledo Memorial Park immediately after the Mass. Special thanks to the people at Kingston Sylvania in her last months of care. Mom's last days were special, and they were because of you. Thanks also to Ohio Living Swan Creek for her early years of independent living and assisted living. Your team showed great compassion to Mom for the years she was there. Donations can be made in Kathy's name to Christ Child Society, PO Box 352254, Toledo, OH 43635. Please leave a condolence message for the family at CoyleFuneralHome.com.

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Kathleen Marie Hart

April 22, 1936 - October 10, 2023