KATHY ABOOD (nee Deutsch), aged 79 years, treasured wife for 56 years to Roger R., beloved mother of David (wife Christa), Dr. Daniel (wife Mary Ellen), Mark (wife Loriann) and Mary Hilberg (husband Brian), loving Sitti (grandmother) of Nathaniel, Noah, Samuel, Alexandra, Abigail, Layla, Gianna, Kristian, Gabriel and Magdalaina Abood, and Isabella and Sophia Hilberg, devoted daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret (nee Olenik) Deutsch, cherished sister of Joanne Filocco, Joseph and John Deutsch, and Rosemary Culotta, fond aunt and grand-aunt to many.
Margaret Kathleen Abood (“Kathy”), passed away at her home in Brecksville, Ohio, with her loving husband, Roger, by her side. Her final days were comfortable, and she was surrounded
by her husband and children, David, Dan, Mark, and Mary, day and night as she lost her 3 year battle with ovarian cancer.
Kathy was born in 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to Joseph and Margaret Deutsch, who were of Hungarian descent, something that Kathy was proud of throughout her life. She had two older
sisters, Joanne and Rosemary, and two younger brothers, John and Joe. Kathy attended Our Lady of Peace Elementary School, and then Beaumont High School. After high school, Kathy
went on to pursue her nursing degree at St. Vincent Charity School of Nursing, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1964.
Kathy began her career as an RN in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at St. Vincent Charity Hospital, and after two years, became employed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in
Cleveland. Kathy worked at CCF for 40+ years, covering every different shift and on just about every unit. She was the Assistant Head Nurse on the newly-opened VIP floor, where she met
so many interesting people! Her final 12 years at the Clinic were spent at Taussig Cancer Center, which at the time, was also brand new. She brought her bright smile, amazing bedside
manner, and wonderful smelling perfume to so many patients who were struggling with their own fights against cancer. She retired in 2004. When she was 18 years old, Kathy met her future husband and love of her life, Roger at a Maronite Youth Organization dance she attended with a friend. Little did she know that this night would begin the greatest love story ever known. She and Roger dated for 5 years before getting married in 1966. Kathy melted the hearts of Roger’s family, who had all planned for him to marry within their own Lebanese culture, quickly acclimating to the traditions, faith, and cooking his family brought with them from Lebanon. Kathy even became part of the Immaculate Conception Sodality of Mary, an organization of Maronite women involved in the church community.
Kathy’s greatest love is Roger and the family they created. She spent many hours watching her children’s sporting events, shuttling them to and from practices, attending banquets and play
performances, and transporting four kids to and from college, all while working and maintaining their household. As the grandchildren started to arrive, she became a babysitter, a chauffeur
(again!), a pumpkin carver, an Easter egg colorer, a trick-or-treater, a cookie and candy maker, and even Santa’s helper! Kathy’s pride and joy was her family, and that was apparent in
everything she did for, and with them. Kathy’s second love was traveling! She had a passion for seeing new places and experiencing new things, her adventurous Gypsy spirit always shining through! She budgeted and saved every penny so the family could go on vacations to Niagara Falls, Mammoth Cave, Myrtle Beach and Kiawah Island, Disney World, and New York City. Their most surreal trip as a family, by far, was to Jordan as guests of King Hussein! Once the kids were grown and starting families of their own, Roger and Kathy traveled even more… cruises, Yellowstone, Grand, Bryce and Zion canyons, Alaska, Italy, Paris, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Israel, and their “bucket list trip”, Lebanon. Kathy led the way, and Roger followed along for the ride, always encouraging and supporting his wife’s dreams. They were the truest example of unconditional and unending love, and that showed in everything they did.
Roger and Kathy shared a blessed life, were married for nearly 57 years, and created four incredible children, who each married someone perfectly suited to their unique personality.
They loved on and spoiled their twelve grandchildren, playing an important and invaluable role in each of their lives. Kathy and Roger created lasting memories with every one of them,
whether it was baking kuchens with her daughter and the twins at Christmastime, taking the first grandchildren to see the lights at Oglebay when they were younger, making chocolates and
candies like her own mother used to do, or attending ALL kinds of activities and events. Kathy made an indelible mark on each one of her grandchildren’s hearts and lives. Kathy had a wide variety of interests, from going to Broadway plays and performances at various theaters across the country and being a long-time donor to Playhouse Square, to supporting St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital as an Ambassador of Hope for years. She attended concerts ranging from Liberace, to Barry Manilow, and Garth Brooks to Elton John. She loved watching Cleveland sports, especially her Tribe! Even in the last days of her life, she was rooting for her favorite team! Kathy was a beautiful person, inside and out. Her smile lit up every room, and the scent of her perfume always brought a sense of calm and safety. She was strong and courageous, even though she never thought so, and always so supportive and understanding. Her faith could move mountains! She made an impact on so many lives, and will be forever missed. Rest peacefully in Heaven now, Sitti.
Contributions in memory of Kathy suggested to St. Maron Chapel (Independence), the St. Peter Chanel Foundation, or the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center. Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at St. Maron Catholic Church, 1245 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, at 10:30 AM. Interment following in Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Kathy at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID, 4600 MAYFIELD RD. (just East of Green Rd.) TUESDAY 5-8 PM. Prayers of Incense at 7:30 PM.
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Nabil and Diane Maroun
Our Sympathies Roger and to the entire family.
She will be missed but her memory of serving the sick, giving of herself to her church and the joy and laughter shown to everyone she met will be cherished by all.
Kathy, rest in peace in the arms of Our Lord.
Mary Hilberg
Thank you very much for your kind words!
Fred and kathy. Kolar
Our hears are heavy as we bid farewell to one of God’s bright lights in the world and our lives. Kathy was always happy and shared many wonderful stories with us. She will be greatly missed. May God reward. Her well
Linda Dickerson
I have been so privileged to have had you as a friend for the last 60years. I will miss our weekly chats.You are now free of pain and are in the arms of Jesus . See you in heaven some day. Love, Linda and Tom Dickerson and family
Judi Oddo
I feel blessed to have had Kathy touch my life in her final weeks. Such a beautiful, strong woman…rest in peace! My condolences to Roger, Mary and the entire Abood family.
Maggie Prater
I am so sorry for your loss. She will be missed by so many. I have so many wonderful memories of her that I will always cherish! My thoughts and prayers go out to you all!
Ted and Eileen Mariano
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Family in our collective mourning of Kathy’s passing. The memories with and of her will be everlasting. We are truly blessed to be part of the wide circle of cherished friends of the Abood families. Kathy dedicated her life to ‘giving’ as a professional, mother, and spiritual person.
Peg Carlino
Good-bye dear Kathy, I will miss you terribly. You are what a true friend really means, one you can talk with about anything, one you can pick up with where you left off, even if it was months ago. I always valued your opinion, and the best of times was when we would meet at your house or mine when we both lived on the same street and just chatted about everyday stuff while our kids played. I hope you knew that I prayed for you every night. I love you, Peg
Jean K.
She always gave you the gift of her loving and joyful smile.
I will miss her presence on this earth.
Michael Payne
To my Wonderful Uncle Roger, my cousins David, Dan, Mark, and Mary, and to all the beautiful and precious Grandchildren they gave to this CLASSIC Deutsch Woman. A Woman of Power, Strength, Determination, Giving, Caring, and and Faith in God.
In my opinion, she WON this battle, went all 12 rounds, knocked her opponent to the canvas so many times. All in the name of giving all she can to her family until the final bell rang.
By unanimous decision . . . . . . KATHY ABOOD!!!
Prayers and hugs for you all.
Nephew and cousin, Michael Payne
Noah Abood
We love you forever and ever, Sitti. We can never thank you enough for all you have done for us and taught us. You will always be in all of our hearts and we will miss you so much. I love you.
Joe Spagnuolo
Condolences to Roger and family
Kathy was a beautiful lady, we enjoyed her company at our lunches!!
Thomas G. Hallal
My condolences to Roger and the entire Abood family. Kathy was always a source of inspiration, energy and kindness as she made everyone feel welcome. We will miss her celebration of life but her memory is something we will cherish forever.
Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m.
Roger and Family,
I met Kathy for a few days when you hosted Marist Educators from North America in Cleveland. Kathy (and Roger) could not do enough to welcome us and make us feel at home. What a thoughtful and hospitable person she was! She is now brightening her heavenly home.
With the prayers, gratitude and condolences of the Marist Fathers and Brothers,
Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m. – Provincial Superior of the USA Society of Mary
Nessib & Rita Abboud
Dear Roger and Family,
We are so sad to hear about Kathy’s passing. May the Lord comfort you during this most difficult time and give you peace. With our most sincere sympathy, love and prayers, Nessib & Rita
Jim and Marilyn Bottger
Dear Abood family – Our sincere and heartfelt sympathy on the death of your beautiful, awesome, wife, mother, grandma, and friend. ♥ Sending condolence hugs as we are temporarily home bound with Jim’s hip replacement Monday.
Kathy was deservedly well-loved and will be dearly missed. May the angels lead her into Paradise and may you find comfort in seeing her in the loving arms of Our Lord God.
Hugh Sullivan
I offer my condolences to the entire Abood family. I have warm childhood memories of Kathy from spending time visiting the Abood household. I wish you peace during this difficult time.
Emile Gantous
Dear Abood Family, I am so sad that my mom and I could not make the wake or funeral. Marge is challenged with health issues and I had work commitments that had me out of town.
I have such fond memories of Kathy. She was a great friend to my parents as she was to all with whom she spent time. I remember asking if she wanted to attend mom’s 50th birthday party many years ago and her response was an emphatic, ” I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”
Sending prayers and virtual hugs to all of you. May she rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon her!
Richard S. Krnc
Dear Roger,
May you and your family please accept our sincerest sympathies and condolences on the passing of your wife Kathy. May God bless her and keep her.
Respectfully,
Rich (CLS 1961) and Noreen Krnc
Peggy Reilly Morgan, Beaumont’61
Congratulations on a life well lived! Blessings to you, Kathy