Kathleen Ann Hoonhout

Kathleen Ann Hoonhout went to heaven on July 14, 2019 a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. Kathy was born on July 4, 1951 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Bernard and Mary Chajkowski. Her parents ultimately made her one of nine children. She graduated from St. Canice Catholic High School in Pittsburgh and later Gwynedd Mercy University near Philadelphia, where she studied nursing.

After working as a nurse for some years, Kathy moved into medical sales, a path that led her from Pennsylvania to the twin cities in Minnesota, and then ultimately to New York City. While looking for a home in Montclair, New Jersey, she met the love of her life Bob Hoonhout. After marrying in Pittsburgh in 1981, Kathy and Bob raised a very happy family in Montclair, and here they made many cherished memories with their children and their many loving and supportive friends. Among many great times and memories from Kathy and Bob’s time in Montclair, her loved ones might look back most fondly on the couple’s Christmas eve parties, which were epic in scale but which were most special because all were to understand that the door was open to everyone in town – it being Kathy and Bob’s desire that everyone had a happy place to be on such a special occasion, and also their intentional effort to keep many different circles of friends connected at a time when it wasn’t as easy as technology now permits.

In 2001, Kathy and Bob moved to Lakewood Ranch, in Bradenton, Florida, where they built a new life and loving home that became the regular gathering place for their family and friends. In Lakewood Ranch, Kathy and Bob enjoyed decades of unforgettable gatherings by the pool with friends and family. These days and years were always full of joy, love, and amazing meals, for Kathy was an incomparable cook and hostess.

Kathy’s life reflected a remarkable balance between being an adept career woman and a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. In Florida, as she had earlier in Montclair, she flourished as a real estate salesperson and broker. For years, Kathy was one of the top performing real estate salespersons at the Coldwell Banker office on St. Armands Circle, where she was highly regarded and made countless meaningful connections with her clients, colleagues, and friends.

But for Kathy, family always came first. Like her mother Mary, Kathy was the heart of her family. She was an excellent wife and mother. She was kind (it is safe to say there was never a mean word that left her mouth), compassionate, selfless, wise, and at once both gentle and strong. No matter what challenges life had in store for her (and she was chosen to endure a great deal), Kathy remained steadfast and resilient. There was never a point during her journey, even in her final weeks and days, when the hardships or frustrations conquered her, or dimmed her spirit. It is perhaps her fortitude and strength of heart that is her greatest lesson for us all, her beloved friends and family.

Kathy exuded a warmth, goodness and light that drew people to her and brought her immense love and devotion from her family and friends throughout her wonderful years on earth. The source of this light was her selflessness, for in her life Kathy took on immense responsibilities and

made innumerable sacrifices for others with love in her heart, good humor in her sparkling smile, and grace in her stride.

While we will miss her dearly, and while we will miss her conversation and humor and sympathetic ear, we’ll take comfort in knowing that she lived a tremendously beautiful life, that she lives on in all of us, and that she is now at peace in heaven with Jesus, the Father, her loved ones, and all of the angels.

Kathy leaves behind her loving husband Bob, and their children Eric (Koleen), Blake (Anna), Julia (Ryan), and Bernie (Kelsey); and granddaughters Aubrey, Isabella, Emery, Stella, and Reagan. She is also survived by her sisters Tish (Bill) and Mary Ellen, and her brothers Tom, John (Patricia), Joseph, and Paul (Kim), and her loving extended family, including her loving brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Paul and Laurie McFeeley of Sarasota, Florida, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and others.

A visitation for Kathleen will be held Thursday, July 18, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park, 170 Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34232. A funeral mass will occur Friday, July 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Angels, 12905 State Road 70 E, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202.