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AUSTINTOWN -- Anne Kathleen Kish, 77, went home to be with her Lord, on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2023, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital, with her family by her side.
Anne, affectionately known as Kathy, was born in Youngstown, on Feb. 3, 1946, to William Richard and Anna LePoris Kieffer. She grew up on the city's West Side and attended Washington Elementary, West Junior High School and was a 1964 graduate of Chaney High School.
Kathy worked as a secretary to the comptroller for Union National Bank, starting in 1964, then went to work at Youngstown Sheet and Tube in the sales office until 1969. She then stayed at home to raise her three children, dedicating herself to the growth and well-being of her family. Once her children were grown, Kathy returned to the workforce in 1980, signing on with Kucez and Associates as an administrative assistant, and worked her way up to becoming the office manager. Kathy briefly worked for the Cafaro Company before landing a position on the campus of Youngstown State University. She worked in many capacities at YSU and held various positions, including stenographer in the bursar's office, secretary for the physical education department, secretary in the civil engineering department, and finally ended her career as supervisor in the student accounts office before retiring in 2007.
Kathy treasured family time and events. She greatly enjoyed spending time at the cottage on Lake Milton with her husband, children and grandchildren. She took pleasure in swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing and entertaining friends and family on the lake with her husband.
She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting and was famous for her "Kish" blankets, which she made for anyone who wanted one. She was always willing to sit down and play a board game, and recently learned to play mahjong. Kathy and Jack also played bocce in the couples' league at the Saxon Club for several years.
Kathy's childhood church was Concordia Lutheran Church on Brockway Avenue in Youngstown. After their marriage, she and Jack joined St. John Lutheran Church with their young family. Kathy was very active in the church and taught Sunday school, vacation Bible school and she sang in the church choir. Most recently, Kathy was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Austintown, where she served as treasurer and was very involved in the Bible study group. She always loved attending Bible studies when one was available. While attending Grace Lutheran Church, she and Jack joined a small group called SACS (singles and couples), which met monthly for dinners and fellowship.
Kathy is survived by her adoring husband of 57 years, John M. "Jack" Kish, whom she married Aug. 20, 1966; her two sons, John David (Emily) Kish of North Canton and Jeffrey William (Marcia) Kish of Kingston, Tennessee; her daughter, Janine Anne (Tom) Sorboro of Libertyville, Illinois; six grandchildren, who were the loves of her life, Catherine E. Kish, Jeremy J. Kish, Aidan J. Kish, Michael D. Sorboro, Dominic J. Sorboro and Christian T. Sorboro; her sister, Janet Louise Carlini of Canfield; and many nieces and nephews.
She had an eternal love for her husband, and an unconditional love for her children and grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Her parents, and two brothers, Richard William Kieffer and Robert Louis Kieffer, preceded Kathy in death.
To honor her wishes, a private celebration of life was held.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Kinnick Funeral Home in Youngstown.
Visit kinnickfuneralhome.com to view and share this obituary and to send condolences to Kathy's family.
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