Mary K. Robertson

Kathy was born on July 16, 1950, in Middleburg Heights to William and Eleanor Sullivan. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Robertson Jr., and her brother, William Sullivan.

Her loss leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of those who loved her. While no amount of time would ever have been enough, we are incredibly grateful for the time we had with Kathy and for all of the memories we were lucky enough to share with her.

More than anything, Kathy loved her family. She was the heart and matriarch of her family—their guide, their biggest supporter, and the person they could always count on. Kathy is survived by her four children: her son, Scott Robertson; and her daughters, Jen Robertson and her fiancé, Rob Krain; Kaylee Robertson and her fiancé, Daven Broxten; and Meghan Robertson and her fiancé, Kyle Blakley.

She was a deeply loved “Omma” to her three grandchildren, Maya Stepnick, Elea Stepnick, and Kwame Arthur-Baiden. Being their Omma brought her so much joy. She is also survived by her brother, Michael Sullivan, and his wife, Cathy Sullivan, and her sister-in-law, Carol Sullivan, wife of Kathy’s late brother, William.

Kathy’s family extended far beyond those connected to her by blood. Her friends and her students were family, too.

Kathy, affectionately known as Mrs. Rob in every school she taught at, dedicated much of her life to caring for, teaching, and advocating for others. She was an educator and special educator who touched the lives of countless students and families throughout her career. Her students held a special place in her heart, second only to her family. She fiercely advocated for them and believed in their potential. Her impact extended well beyond the classroom. Kathy also served as a youth group leader and was an educator and mentor to young people throughout her community. Teaching was not simply what Kathy did for a living; it was part of who she was.

After Kathy retired, she decided she wasn’t ready to stop making a difference in people’s lives. She began working for Christine’s Hope, a program serving adults with cognitive disabilities. The work brought so much meaning and joy to Kathy’s life because it gave her another opportunity to share one of her greatest gifts: seeing and appreciating people for exactly who they are. Kathy had a remarkable ability to recognize the unique qualities in each person, to make them feel valued, and to celebrate what made them special. Even in retirement, she continued doing what she had always done best; caring for, encouraging, and making a difference in the lives of others.

Many people will tell you that Kathy was one of a kind and that she was nearly impossible to describe. She was feisty and strong, never afraid to speak her mind or stand up for what she believed in. She was generous and warm, stubborn and spirited, fun and creative. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a gift for storytelling. When Kathy told a story, she made you feel as though you were right there beside her, experiencing it with her.

And then there was her smile and her laughter. They could fill a room. In fact, you didn’t even have to see Kathy to know she was nearby, you could hear her laughter from around the corner. It was unmistakably hers, and it brought joy wherever she went.

Kathy was a really good friend, and inevitably, she was always surrounded by good friends. She had a way of making connections with people wherever she went. Most recently, she traveled to Alaska and Ireland with her sister not by blood, but by heart Gretchen. She also traveled to Ireland with her daughters, Meghan and Kaylee, and her grandson, Kwame.

Kathy and her late husband, Jim, made family vacations a tradition. Every summer, they took their family somewhere special, especially to the beach. We camped together, too, and some of our fondest memories were made in Colorado, where Meghan lives. Kathy was always up for an adventure, even going white-water rafting with the family a couple of times. Thank God she didn’t fall in!

Kathy especially loved the mountains. Her mother, Eleanor, was from Priest River, Idaho, and Kathy grew up taking road trips there with her parents and brothers. The mountains were in her blood, and she always felt at home among them. She loved hiking, exploring, and simply being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains. Even at 63, Kathy embraced that love of the outdoors in a big way, spending a summer as a camp counselor at the YMCA of the Rockies. It was just another example of Kathy being willing to try something new, embrace an adventure, and keep living life to the fullest.

Fittingly for an English teacher, Kathy was an avid reader. But she didn’t just read for herself. She loved reading a book that a grandkid, daughter, or friend was reading so they could talk about it together. She also had a way with a pen, especially when it came to writing heartfelt messages in notes or cards. Her words were thoughtful, personal, and always came straight from the heart.

Kathy was always up for a good movie or television series, and she was excited to tell you all about whatever she had been watching. She especially loved movies that could make her laugh one minute and cry the next. And if you ever watched a movie with Kathy, you quickly learned that the movie wasn’t the only thing happening, she was also going to talk through it! She loved sharing her thoughts, reactions, and observations along the way, making watching a movie with her an experience all its own.

Kathy was a shopper! She loved finding a good deal, especially at garage sales and thrift stores. Kathy had a great sense of style and loved accessorizing her outfits with fun earrings and jewelry. She loved wearing bright, colorful clothes that reflected her vibrant personality. If you have ever been to Kathy’s home, you know she also had a knack for decorating. She especially loved decorating for the seasons and making her home feel festive and welcoming. Most recently, she was especially excited to shop for her grandbaby-to-be, Joni. She found so much joy in finding those little things that would make someone she loved happy.

Kathy was also a talker and we loved her for it. Wherever she went, she could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. She would meet a stranger, and before long, they would know each other’s life stories—and probably exchange phone numbers, too. Kathy had a genuine interest in people, and she made them feel comfortable enough to share their stories with her.

Kathy loved spending time with her friends and family. She was always on the go and loved having something to look forward to, whether it was going out to eat, catching a movie, attending a good party, or simply getting together with the people she loved. She was happiest when she was surrounded by others and making memories together. She loved a good game of Scrabble or Boggle, but she was always willing to try something new. She loved the challenge, the laughter, and, most of all, the time spent together. For Kathy, it was never just about what you were doing, it was about who you were doing it with.

Holidays were important to Kathy. She wanted them to be special, meaningful, and filled with family. She loved the traditions, the decorating, the food, and most of all, having the people she loved gathered together. Kathy also loved to try new recipes. She enjoyed trying new recipes and sharing them with people around her.

Kathy’s spirituality was important to her, and she always respected and honored the different spiritual practices and beliefs of others. She never believed there was only one way to find meaning or connection. She used to say that religion is like a highway: no matter which road you take, you ultimately end up in the same place. That simple way of looking at the world reflected so much of who Kathy was. She was accepting, open-minded, and respectful of everyone’s journey. She believed in finding your own path while giving others the freedom to find theirs.

In so many ways, that was Kathy; curious, adventurous, generous, loving, and always looking for another way to bring people together. She lived life fully, loved fiercely, spoke honestly, laughed loudly, and left an impression on nearly everyone she met. Kathy, Mom, Omma, Mrs. Rob. will be deeply missed by her family, her friends, her students, her citizens and all who were fortunate enough to know her. Her stories, her laughter, her advice, her handwritten notes, her traditions, and the love she gave so freely will live on in the people she leaves behind. She was truly one of a kind, and there will never be another Kathy Rob.

Inurnment at Woodvale Cemetery Saturday, October 10, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. Please meet at the Funeral Home at 9:15 a.m. for procession. Funeral Services 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026 at Middleburg Heights Community United Church of Christ located at 7165 Big Creek Pkwy., Middleburg Heights.

The family will receive friends Friday, October 9, 2026 from 3-7 PM at the A. RIPEPI AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, 18149 BAGLEY RD., MIDDLEBURG HTS. (WEST OF I-71).

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Christine's Hope. https://inclusionworksoh.org/donate