Katherine Kay Frisby

Katherine (Spitnale) Frisby, 68, of Genoa, Ohio, passed away on January 27, 2026. She was born on June 9, 1957. Kathy married her loving husband Charles "Bill" Frisby on September 7, 2002 in which she enjoyed traveling and living the country life with.

Kathy graduated from Roy C. Start High School in Toledo, Ohio, in 1976 and went on to graduate from the Toledo School of Nursing in 1980. After earning her nursing degree, she famously rewarded herself with a Porsche 924-an early sign of the bold, independent spirit she carried throughout her life.

She began her nursing career at The Toledo Hospital in pediatrics, later working in urology, and ultimately retiring from Parkway Surgery Center. Kathy devoted over 30 years of service to The Toledo Hospital and was known as an exceptionally skilled, dedicated, and compassionate nurse. Caring for others wasn't just her profession-it was who she was.

Outside of nursing, Kathy lived life full throttle. She loved her horses dearly and competed in Western riding competitions at the Fulton County Fair, where she was also a proud and frequent Egg-and-Spoon champion. She enjoyed riding in local parades with her horses, including the Fulton County Fair parade and parades in Sylvania and Genoa. Her adventurous hobbies led to more than a few accidents, earning her the affectionate nickname "Evil Knievel."

Kathy also loved riding motorcycles and was one of the original members of the Women of the Wind Motorcycle Club in Toledo, Ohio. Her first motorcycle was a Harley Roadster-and from that moment on, she remained loyal to Harleys. When she bought that very first bike, she asked her friend Deb's husband to ride it back to their place for her. Once they arrived, she calmly asked him to lay the brand-new motorcycle down on the ground. Shocked, he asked why she would want her new bike laid down. Without missing a beat, Kathy replied, "Because if I'm going to ride this motorcycle, I want to know how to pick it up." It was classic Kathy-practical and fearless.

She was known for her no-nonsense attitude, sharp wit, and unforgettable "Kathyisms," often heard saying things like, "Are you insane?," "Get to work, my monkeys," "A pirate's life for me," "I need a nap," "Where's my wine?"-usually delivered with perfect timing. She loved speaking and acting like a pirate and lived with that same fearless, free-spirited energy.

Kathy loved reading-often with a beer and a cigarette-whether at home or on the beach, which she adored. She enjoyed karaoke, traveling, and many memorable vacations to Clearwater, Florida, Tennessee and North Carolina. Growing up on Lake Erie with her grandparents aboard their boat, Weme, sparked her lifelong love of the water.

She treasured celebrating St. Patrick's Day with her siblings and mother, as it was also her mother's birthday. Kathy was incredibly generous with her time, money, and love and was truly the glue that held her family together.

She had many family members, nieces, nephews, family friends, and local teenagers who worked on her farm-whom she lovingly called her "monkeys." She paid them well, looked out for them, and always made sure they had a good time.

She is survived by her husband Charles "Bill" Frisby, step-children Jamie (Stephanie) Frisby, Kimberly Marie King, her siblings: Eileen (Ron) Addison, Cheryl Drew, Anne (Glenn) Redmond, Brenda (Joe) Aubry, Glen (Bonnie) Spitnale, Kathy (Bob) Savage; her stepmother Faye Crawford, in laws Mae (Roger) Lankston and Randy (Sarah) Frisby; and her nieces and nephews: Nathan (Erica) Addison, Richard Dodge, Ryan Drew, Hayley (Jason) Swearingen, Steve (Kimmie) Billings, Angela Billings, Scott (Lindsay) Billings, Alexis (John) Lane, Keith (Hayley) Randolph, Evan Aubry, Adam Aubry, Christopher (Stephanie) Spitnale, Kevin Spitnale, Alaina (Melissa) Spitnale, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. She is also survived by close family friends Debra, Desiree, Deedee, Carol, Sandy, and Devan, along with her beloved horses Oreo and Jake.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Willard and Mildred Evans, her uncle Fritz Evans, her parents Glen and Nancy Spitnale, and her father Richard "Dick" Crawford.

Kathy was also preceded in death by her beloved horses Bandit and Penny, along with the many other horses she loved, owned, and cared for throughout her life. They were never just animals to her-they were family, partners, and constant companions. Reunited once again, we like to believe Kathy is riding free with them, exactly where she would want to be.

Kathy lived boldly, loved fiercely, and left a mark on everyone lucky enough to know her. Her legacy of strength, generosity, laughter, and loyalty will live on forever.

Services will be held at a later date.