Cathleen Cathy Johns

Cathleen Coyle Johns, 56, passed away unexpectedly of an acute allergic reaction on Monday February 16, 2015 at City Hospital in Akron, Ohio. Cathy was born April 3, 1958, in Toledo as the third of ten children to Henry (Hank) and Nancy Coyle. Growing up in Toledo, Cathy attended Central Catholic High School for two years before she moved with her family to Crawfordsville, Indiana. Cathy was a 1976 graduate of Crawfordsville High School where she was elected Homecoming Queen during her senior year. Cathy went on to earn a BA in Journalism from Butler University in 1980 and completed graduate studies at Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1993. Cathy worked as a banker for nearly 20 years in both Crawfordsville and Merrillville, Indiana. She was a beacon of light to many people and worked passionately to make the world a better place. Cathy was deeply involved in many causes that were dear to her heart. As an enthusiastic volunteer in Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns in both 2008 and 2012, she worked tirelessly towards making affordable health care available for all. Not only did she work unceasingly for a national health care program; but she also spoke openly throughout Ohio about her own personal experiences with healthcare to raise awareness about this issue. In addition, Cathy spoke from the same stage as President Obama at The Ohio State University to a crowd of over 30,000 people. She and her husband were invited twice to the White House to meet the President personally; and she also had the honor of introducing Michelle Obama at a national meeting. These were among her proudest achievements and thus it is fitting that she left us on Presidents’ Day. Cathy served as a lead community organizer for grassroots movements aimed at improving life for the middle and working classes. She was a voice for people in need. She was an ardent supporter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), and an active member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Toledo. She had been currently participating in group discussions on issues of race through the Dialogue To Change Toledo initiative and was a grateful member of GA. Cathy was a sensitive and spiritual person and she truly loved her life. She was a devoted wife and a loving Mom. She was also a lifelong Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers and Toledo Mud Hens fan. She shared her love of baseball and basketball with her family, especially her grandson Simon. She treasured time with her family, including sisters’ weekends and Savage family reunions. She leaves behind her adoring husband, high school sweetheart and best friend Brian Johns, beloved children Andrew (Brandi) Johns of Charlotte, NC, Emily Miller of Ann Arbor, MI, Anna Miller (Dustin Van Hove) and Samantha Johns (Chad Warren) and precious grandchildren Simon and Tabitha. She is also survived by her mother Nancy Savage Coyle, siblings Peggy Coyle, Michael (Sue) Coyle, David (Denise) Coyle, Mary (Barry) Rice, James (Mary) Coyle, Ellen Coyle (Monte Pullis), Thomas (Laurie) Coyle, Julie Coyle, MD and Jennifer Coyle, as well as siblings-in-law Robin Markey and Sharon Johns. Also surviving are 18 nieces and nephews, 10 grand nieces and nephews, the loving extended Savage and Johns families, and countless wonderful friends. She was greeted in heaven by her father, Henry (Hank) Coyle, niece Megan Coyle and nephew Henry Coyle. A great light has gone from this world to the next. “Well done, good and faithful servant!”. Mt. 25:21 Visitation will be from 4 pm to 9 pm Thursday, February 19th and from 2 pm to 9 pm on Friday, February 20th, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 West Sylvania Ave, Toledo. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 21st, at 11 am at Trinity Episcopal Church, 316 Adams St., Toledo. There will be a reception at Trinity immediately following the funeral. If you would like to make a donation in Cathy’s name, please consider National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), http://www.namitoledo.org/?pg=events#190, or Food for Thought, http://www.feedtoledo.org/donate/