Kathy Sicz (nee Marsh), age 73, peacefully passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, embraced by the love and support of her family. The beloved daughter of the late James and Joan Marsh, Kathy was a lifetime Medina County resident and Brunswick High School graduate.

A kind and caring woman, Kathy was an earthly angel among us, finding her calling in the nursing profession very early in life.  Driven by her love of people and desire to help them feel better, at 17 she began working as an aide in nursing homes and upon high school graduation, pursued her Licensed Practice Nurse certification from Parma School of Nursing, then joining the United States Army Reserves, achieving grade level Specialist 5 in 1976.  Thereafter, she continued her medical training at St. Thomas School of Nursing, ultimately obtaining her Registered Nurse license and additional specialized certifications in 1990.  Altogether, Kathy built a fulfilling 40+ year career spanning roles as floor nurse, nurse supervisor, traveling nurse, home health nurse, teacher, trainer, case manager and assistant director or nursing.

Of all of these roles, Kathy's happiest nursing experiences were spent at Akron Childrens Hospital working in their neonatal intensive care unit where she cared for the most critically ill infants and supported their families.   She was particularly proud of her involvement with programs aimed at educating and advocating for special needs children and those which supported the parents of premature babies upon transitioning home.  The balance of her career focused on the specialized needs of geriatric patients – through her life's work, Kathy profoundly impacted lives from birth through death.

Upon the birth of her daughter, Kimberly Patton, Kathy worked to overcome the challenges of balancing a demanding work schedule with continuing her education and building a full life for herself and Kim.  She was deeply proud of Kim's growth, development and accomplishments.  When granddaughters Kacey, Skyler and Kaitlynn came into her life, she was thrilled and could not wait to pinch their cheeks and spoil them rotten.  She was eager to see how they would each grow into womanhood and hoped she would be able to see them find love, potentially marry and make her a great grandmother.  She loved being their grandma and looked forward to celebrating their birthdays, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, showering them with unconditional love and loving support.  Together, they enjoyed watching movies, playing dress up, tea parties, and stealing her favorite comfy chair.  If you asked Kathy how she was doing, she would share a story or two about all of the fun things they were doing that week while quietly worrying about every sniffle, bump or bruise along the way.

Always independent, stubborn and resourceful, Kathy was proud to have owned her own home for more than 40 years.  Every spring, she'd look forward to feeding the hummingbirds, bringing home new flowers, planting the garden, mowing the grass, and then later getting ready for the holidays.  Never wanting to be dependent on anyone else, she learned how to take care of herself and made sure her 'girls' all knew how to take care of their vehicles, do fun arts and crafts, grow flowers, find a job they loved, and make tasty goodies.  Always a giver, she would often make unseen sacrifices to help people in need or those she loved, even if she didn't have the extra funds to do so.  If she saw something that could help someone she knew and loved, she would make the extra effort to brighten their day, tapping into a beautiful heart that was a few sizes too big.

Kathy enjoyed spending time with her family and always appreciated a loving hug, a good laugh and catching up over a hot cup of coffee.  She loved getting to know other medical professionals and particularly swapping stories with other nurses.  A music lover, she loved listening to classic rock, country, and Christmas songs and often showed up to work and family events with her convertible top down and the car stereo volume up.   She collected cookie jars, horse figurines and carousels, anything with Winnie the Pooh and Tweety Bird, and found joy watching the History channel, Hallmark romance stories, country westerns, true crime, and reality television.  Television favorites were Heartland, Golden Girls, I Love Lucy, Carol Burnett, Walker Texas Ranger, and Mountain Men.

Prior to his death in 2001, Kathy spent more than 25 years with loving husband, Daniel Sicz, with whom she enjoyed taking long drives to Amish country, raising and showing horses, and expanding their Kosi Acre Ranch. Together, they became involved in Lafayette Township government and local community events.  For many years, Kathy was an active member and volunteer with the Brunswick Hills Fire Department Auxiliary, American Quarter Horse Association, and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).

Preceded in death by brother, Scott, and his twin sister Sheri, Kathy will be greatly missed by her surviving siblings James (Glesna), Gail (Michael) Southwell, Vicki and nephews Kevin Marsh and Nathan Southwell.