Kathleen Johnson

Kathleen “Kitty” Johnson (Kelly) passed away peacefully with family by her side on April 15th in Akron, Ohio, at the age of 83.

Preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Wendell (“Del”), parents Clare M. and Altha E. Kelly of Cleveland, Ohio, and brother Edward of Cleveland, Ohio, Kitty is survived by children Eric, Kurt (Jennifer), and Kelly; grandchildren Aubrey and Mason; and many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Kitty was born on April 21, 1940, in Cleveland, Ohio, where she lived the first 29 years of her life before moving to Akron. After graduating from Lakewood High School in 1958, Kitty proudly earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the college of Wooster. Soon thereafter, she received her Master of Art in Theater from Kent State University.

Kitty’s education led her to accept a position at Columbia High School near Strongsville, teaching English. During that time, she attended Lakewood Presbyterian Church and met Wendell (“Del”) Johnson at a dance. The couple wed August 22,1964, and was blessed with three children who remain proud to call them their parents. They moved to Akron in 1969 so Del could begin teaching mathematics at The University of Akron Community and Technical College. Kitty also accepted a position at the university, teaching English, Grammar, and related subjects.

Choosing to devote more time to raising their three young children, Kitty took a break from the University of Akron before re-entering the workforce and taking a position with the accounting firm of MacGregor & MacGregor. She then took the step that would begin her second career, accepting a temporary assignment at the J.M. Smucker Company as an administrative assistant. By the time she retired from Smucker’s in 2002, Kitty was the Manager for International Customer Service for the entire company.

She was active throughout her life in the community, supporting the sports and other activities of her children, organizing and attending countless events with “the ‘hood,” volunteering at The Wilderness Center in Wilmot, and serving as a devoted member of the Firestone Park Presbyterian Church.  In 2022, Kitty moved from the home enjoyed by her family for 53 years and took up new residence at Vitalia Active Adult Community in Copley, where she instantly (but unsurprisingly) established even more wonderful friendships. Her reputation among family and friends was that of a remarkably kind and caring lady, which she demonstrated most strongly in her role as a loving “grandma” to her grandchildren, Aubrey and Mason.

Kitty will be fondly remembered for a quick and easy smile and a longtime devotion to “her” birds, who likely sorely miss their regular feedings (as do the squirrels, but that’s another issue). She excitedly celebrated the long-awaited championship won by her Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016 and maintained an unwavering devotion to the Cleveland Browns and Guardians (Indians), despite decades of championship futility.

Friends may gather at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11, at Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, 275 S. Firestone Blvd., Akron, OH, 44301, before the memorial celebration of Kitty’s life at 11:30, Pastor Francie Fischer, officiating.  A short luncheon reception will follow at 12:30 at Allenside Presbyterian Church, 410 Rexford St., Akron, OH, 44314 prior to the burial at Foxfield Preserve in Wilmot, OH. For those unable to attend in person, there will be a video broadcast of the service on Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5118335841?pwd=Z3VFQktHYUlNa1RoTEhGU2p2WTErdz09

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Firestone Park Presbyterian Church, https://www.fppchurchakron.org/donate; The College of Wooster, https://wooster.edu/give/; or The Wilderness Center, https://wildernesscenter.org/donate/. The family wishes to thank Kitty’s countless wonderful and caring friends for their support, and all the special nurses, doctors, and staff at Cleveland Clinic’s Akron General Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic – Medina Hospital, and Pebble Creek Healthcare Center for the care they provided Kitty these past months.

The light of God surrounds me.

The love of God enfolds me.

The power of God protects me.

The presence of God watches over me.

Wherever I am, God is.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kathleen Johnson, please visit our floral store.