Kathleen Bash

Kathleen A. Bash (nee Drake) of Eaton Township, Ohio passed away peacefully on May 20, 2020 at The Wesleyan Village, Elyria. She was born April 13, 1935 in Cleveland, but grew up in Elyria. Kathy graduated top of her class in 1953 from Elyria High School, where she was active in many organizations; i.e., National Honor Society, library/office assistant, Y-teens cheerleader, basketball and baseball.

Kathy had a passion for many things, but was mostly a true mentor to her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and foster children. She was charismatic, classy and elegant and adored by all who knew her. She made her home in Eaton Township with her husband, Donald (deceased). Together, they were foster parents to several children. They raised and showed champion English Setters and enjoyed vacationing on their motorcycles. They enjoyed their cottage home in Deerfield, Ohio, where they could fish and water ski all summer on their bass boat. Kathy retired from Lear Siegler/Crane of Elyria in 2001 after more than 30 years of service and was known for her witty column in the company newsletter. She was very dedicated to her Jazzercise classes and was always the first one on a dance floor. Or, she would create her own dance floor if there was music. She was the life of any party and will be greatly missed. Kathy loved reading, was an expert at completing the daily crossword puzzle and competitive with Jeopardy, or any other trivia game. Kathy had a huge heart for all animals and was known for taking in stray cats and dogs, as well as keeping many bird feeders well stocked. Kathy was an active member of the Grafton VFW, The Elyria United Polish Club, the English Setter Club and Our Lady Queen of Peace Church of Grafton.

Kathy is survived by her sisters, Judy Smith, of Oberlin and Barbara Mancini of Boxford, MA, her brother David (Patricia) Drake of Alto MI, twelve nieces and nephews and many great nieces and nephews.

Kathy is preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Donald S. Bash, her parents Donald and Mary Drake, by her sister Arline, her brothers Joseph and Edgar. Due to the current Covid-19 restrictions, there will be a private family service at the Duke Funeral Home 1021 Main St. Grafton on Tuesday May 26, 2020 from 11 AM until service at 1 PM with Rev. John Seabold, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church officiating. If you would like to join us for the graveside service, please meet at the funeral home at 1:30 PM to get into procession to St. Mary's Cemetery, Grafton. On-line condolences may be left at www.dukefuneralhome.com.  In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated in Kathy’s memory to The Friendship APL of Lorain County, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria, Ohio.

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