Kathleen Shealy

We are gathered here today to celebrate the life of Kathleen Kay Shealy (nee McGill), and the legacy of loving kindness that she has left behind. 

Kathleen “Kathie” Kay Shealy, beloved wife to Thomas Allen Shealy, mother to three and grandmother to five passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, at the age of 70.

Kathie was born on September 1, 1953, to her father Kenneth McGill and mother Joyce (nee Koontz) in Toledo, Ohio. She was a beloved sister to her older brother Jeffery McGill (Beth), and younger brother, Gary McGill (Nancy). The McGill family enjoyed a close bond throughout their lives. Kathie’s childhood was defined by Ken and Joyce’s adventurous spirits, zest for life, and their love of travel. They enjoyed annual camping trips to the Grand Teton Mountains of Wyoming, which the McGill/Shealy families maintained as a tradition for their own children and families.

Even as a child Kathie exuded the same warmth, kindness, and effervescence that would continue to define her character for the rest of her life. When commemorating their sister’s life and legacy, her brothers highlighted the positive impacts Kathie had on their family. Gary recalls, “Kathie brought us together and was the one who maintained family ties…she was always positive, even when faced with challenges,” and Jeff noting that Kathie shared her love through thoughtful gifts regularly. Kathie cherished a deeply close relationship with her mother Joyce (who is fondly remembered by the Shealy/McGill family as “Gagum”), until Joyce’s passing in 2020. Kathie’s family recalls the many wonderful qualities the two shared, including their trademark skill for expressing constructive opinions with wit and kindness.

After attending Bowsher High School, Kathie took her talents to the University of Toledo where she was an active sister in the Tri Delta sorority. Over her years at the University of Toledo, Kathie found a large group of lifelong friends, whom she enjoyed travelling, crafting, and laughing with regularly throughout the rest of her life. It was also during Kathie’s time at the University of Toledo that she met a charming ophthalmologist named Thomas Shealy while working as a checkout girl at the local grocery store. Their romance quickly evolved, and Tom and Kathie married on June 15^th, 1974. Over their 50 years of marriage Tom and Kathie built a beautiful family and life together defined by their mutual integrity and deep faith in Jesus Christ.

Tom and Kathie raised their three children, Andrea (Michael); Drew (Stephanie); and Adam (Grace) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Kathie was a doting, patient, and loving mother and she cherished her role as a mother and later grandmother (“Mimi”), above all else. Kathie and Tom purchased the Shealy family’s lake house in Coldwater, Michigan in 1998, and it has since been the site of endless summer fun and many of the family’s happiest memories. Both Kathie and Tom invested considerable time and attention to create joyful moments for their children and grandchildren, who all recall Kathie’s incredible patience, warmth, genuine care and interest in their well-being.  To her grandchildren “Mimi” was a safe haven, her door was always open to them, and she would be the first to offer a listening ear and words of comfort. She was a regular fixture in the most important moments of their lives including sporting events, cheerleading competitions, school dances, and academic events. She will be deeply missed by each of her five grandchildren (Anna, Kenley, and Cohen Cox; and Jake, and Alex Shealy).

Kathie had an amazing talent for crafting and artistry of all sorts. Her family and friends regularly received intricate handmaid cards in the mail, large quilts that Kathie spent hundreds of hours carefully constructing by hand, and each of them holding personalized and loving sentiments. She taught crafting in her home in Galena, Ohio, and enjoyed passing on her skills and talents to friends and family. After holding an annual “crafting weekend” at the Shealy family’s lake house, Kathie presented each of her children with volumes of beautiful photo albums commemorating every year of their lives in 2021. Every page was crafted with care and attention and captured her children’s unique personalities and commemorated their greatest life accomplishments. Her lasting love of her family truly shined through her beautiful talent and attention to detail.

Kathie played an irreplicable part in the lives of all those who loved her. Her memory will live on as a person with a unique tenderness, artistic talent, firm faith, and a vibrancy that will continue to live in the memory of those she loved forever. The countless, personalized crafts and gifts sprinkled around the homes of her friends and family will continue to bring us joy for years to come, and bring to memory Kathie’s beautiful smile, laugh, and gentle warmth.

All are welcome to join Kathie’s family for a visitation a funeral service this Friday April 5^th at All Saints Lutheran Church, details below.

Please Join us to Celebrate the Memory of Kathleen Kay Shealy

All Saint Lutheran Church, 6770 N High St, Worthington, OH 43085

Friday, April 5^th, 2024

Visitation 3-5pm  

Funeral service to follow, beginning at 5pm

Refreshments and appetizers will be served at All Saints Lutheran immediately following the funeral service. Special thanks to the All Saints social committee for their generosity.