Kathryn Lee Tomko

Kathy Lee Tomko, 67, of Chesterland, passed away on Thursday, October 5, 2023. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Bill and June (nee Jenkins) Sherod. Kathy is remembered by her loving husband of 42 years, Peter Tomko; sons Brett (Rachel) and Justin (Sandy Liberatore); siblings Bill Sherod II (Pam), Kim Ritt (Bill), and Tim Sherod (Julie); seven nieces and nephews, four great nieces and nephews; and so many friends. After graduation, she worked as a floral designer in a flower shop in Chesterland. In 1980, she married Peter Tomko, also a 1974 graduate of West Geauga. Kathy welcomed her first son, Brett, in the spring of 1985 and her second son Justin, in the fall of 1987. To Kathy, family was most important, she loved spending time with Peter and the boys. They would spend their summers traveling, camping and vacationing in Myrtle Beach, SC. She loved the sun and the beach, always looking forward to coming home with a tan to show off. She could pack a car like no one else, always making sure everyone had what they needed and creating space for vacation souvenirs. Her deck and pool was her favorite spot at home. She loved planning the annual summer party that would bring the family together from all over the country. She never looked forward to closing the pool down for the winter, but did enjoy a big snow storm from time to time. She was an avid sports fan, always putting out a nice spread for family to come over and watch the game. She enjoyed going to Cleveland Indians and Browns games. On Friday nights in the fall, you could find her at a high school football game watching both her boys in the marching band. She was very involved in the West Geauga band, heading up the uniform room for eight years. This Friday night tradition would continue as her oldest son is now a band director. She loved being a band mom and never missed a game, rain or shine, clapping along to any fight song.

She loved to craft, always making a bracelet or sewing a blanket for a co-worker or family member. She loved all the holidays and cooking Thanksgiving dinner for her family was one of her favorite things to do. She was a very generous gift giver and loved to “shop til she dropped” at Christmas time. She had a knack for always finding the perfect gift for anyone. She would always pick out the tallest, fattest Christmas tree on the lot, and make Peter spin it to find the front, until his arm went numb. She loved decorating the house for all holidays, especially Christmas. Kathy worked at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus in the Otolaryngology Department for 15 years. Later she would work part time as a floral designer and for the West Geauga School district in their Community Education Department. She then rejoined the Cleveland Clinic at Hillcrest Hospital working in the Pulmonary Institute, as an administrative assistant, for 17 years. She enjoyed the interaction with the doctors she worked for, she also enjoyed helping patients and their families. Kathy never missed a co-worker’s birthday, and she loved planning work parties and special events around the office. Kathy Lee was a kind and generous person who would do anything for anyone. She will forever live in our hearts and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Visitation will be held at Gattozzi and Son Funeral Home located at 12524 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland 44026 on Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 11am until 2pm with a Celebration of Life to follow immediately. Burial will take place at Acacia Memorial Park in Mayfield Heights, Ohio.