Katherine Howley

Katherine Mary Howley, 80, of Lakewood, left us early Saturday morning, March 22, 2025. Kate died peacefully in the arms of her family, just a few hours after being anointed in her Catholic faith and blessed by the story telling, laughter and tears of a gathering of friends. It was a gentle letting go filled with the same joy and love Kate quietly created throughout her life.

Kate was born and lived her earliest years in Cleveland, grew up in Vermilion, and for over 50 years was part of the Lakewood community. After graduating from Ashland College Kate earned a graduate degree in Library Science from Western Michigan University. She began her career in public education as a third-grade teacher before becoming an elementary school librarian and then a researcher and grant writer for the Cleveland Public Schools. She dedicated her professional life to improving educational opportunity for all children, especially children of families of limited income, a cause she continued to actively support throughout her life and that she provided for upon her passing.

Kate weaved a rich fabric of a life filled with travel, exercise, political campaigns, community organizations, music, theater and the arts and always, caring for others. Her strength of character and optimism about life is confirmed by attendance at hundreds of Cleveland Guardian games, never giving up hope for another World Series ring. Centering the things Kate chose to do with her life was the unshakeable bond she had with her family and with the friends she met and kept along the way.

Kate was predeceased by her parents, Lee and Jean (Hauserman) Howley and her brothers Tim and Dan. She is survived by her brothers Lee and Tom, their wives JoAnn and Nancy, her brother Dan’s wife Jan, her nieces and nephews, Christopher, Sara, Michael, Tim, Lee III, Luke, Patrick, and Brett, and several grand nieces and nephews.

Kate’s family invites you to a funeral mass for Kate on Saturday April 5, 2025 at 11 AM at Saint Mary Parish, 731 Exchange Street, Vermilion, OH 44089.  Private inurnment will take place at Brownhelm Cemetery, Vermilion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Li-Fraumeni Syndrome Association, P.O. Box 6458. Holliston, Massachusetts 01746 or College Now Greater Cleveland, 1500 West 3 rd  Street, #125, Cleveland, Ohio 44113.

Online condolences made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.