Kathleen V. Kowalski's Obituary
Kathleen “Kathie” Virginia Kowalski (nee Zeck), 79 of North Ridgeville, OH, passed from this world on 7 August 2025, surrounded by her family.
She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (though we won’t hold that against her) and made Ohio her home. She spent time in Florence, KY, & Trenton, MI, as well. She graduated from Ohio University with a Bachelor’s degree in zoology and embarked on a career in healthcare that spanned working in hospitals in Cleveland, Cincinnati, and southeastern Michigan. She retired as the laboratory manager for a premier laboratory for physicians in Westlake.
In life, she enjoyed her exquisite flower garden, was an avid reader, and was an advocate for children & animals. She was active in her community, the founder of Community Meals at St. Edward High School, & served as a registrar for the First Friday Forum of Lorain County. Her love for children grew into service as a Guardian ad Litem for Lorain County.
Loving & full of wisdom, she might not have always been right, as she would tell you, but she was never wrong. She swore that she was 100% Irish, and her family finally concedes the fact, but kindly remind all that she was Polish by choice. She was generous to a fault. She will be sorely missed, but she will live on in the many, many lives she touched, especially in her sons & granddaughters.
Beloved wife of Larry Kowalski for 51 years, devoted mother of sons Joseph (Leah Loeffert), Charles (Sheila), & Michael (Laura). Doting grandmother (“Nana”) of Madeline , Samantha, Lilian, Evelyn, & Rosemary. Big sister to George II (Linda) Zeck, & aunt of George III, (Laurie) Zeck. A devoted follower of Christ, she looks forward to the Resurrection of the Body.
She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Kathryn (Ron) Flachbart, Margaret (Bill) Tuscano, Mary Beth Donahue, Jean (Tom) Raddell, Ann (Tony) Herrmann, and brother-in-law Joe Kowalski.
She is preceded in death by her parents George & Elaine (nee McClaren) Zeck, brothers-in-law Charles Kowalski and Mike Donahue, and sister-in-law, Joy Kowalski.
Friends may call Tuesday, August 12, 2025 from 10:30AM until the time of Mass at 11AM at St. Peter Catholic Church, 35777 Center Ridge Road, North Ridgeville. Fr. Bob Franco, Pastor, will be the celebrant.
Burial will be at St. Peter Cemetery, North Ridgeville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Genesis House at www.genesishouseshelter.org or Multiple Breed Rescue at www.mbrohio.com
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