Kathleen Mary Degroft

Kathleen DeGroft, 82, passed away peacefully January 23, 2023, in Dublin Ohio, surrounded by her four loving children. She was born in Toledo, Ohio, to John and Kathryn (Getz) Gallagher on February 28, 1940. She grew up in Toledo with her three sisters, “The Gallagher Girls,” (Pat, Marcia and Maureen / ‘Mo’) and her brother, John. Kathleen and her siblings were a spirited group, who had a lot of fun during their time at Gesu elementary and junior high school. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy high school and then studied to be a Medical Laboratory Technician at Marquette University. After 2 years at Marquette, Kathleen returned to Toledo, to help care for her ailing father and finished her studies at the University of Toledo, while also interning at Toledo Hospital as a Medical Technician. After graduating, she continued her work at Toledo hospital and caring for her father, who was struggling with diabetes. She would even take blood samples from home to the hospital for examination in her lab. Her experience as a medical technician and nature to care for others would lead her to be known as “the family doctor” for generations to come. Having attended Catholic Schools from elementary school through college, Kathleen also had a deep faith.

Kathleen was a great athlete and from her early childhood, she loved spending time at the family’s Lake Erie cottage on Sand Beach Road, in Port Clinton, where she showed off her water-skiing skills, including holding the rope with 1 foot while slalom skiing and making human pyramids while on skis. She also loved spending time at the Inverness Club in Toledo and developed many new friendships there, which would become her extended family. She won several tennis, paddle tennis and golf championships well into her 50’s, beating competitors half her age. During retirement, Kathleen and Walt moved to Bonita Springs Florida where she continued her athletics at Shadow Wood Country Club. She would win more tennis and golf championships there and made many more close friends.

Kathleen’s purpose in life was her taking care of and protecting her family. She was a devoted spouse to Walter ‘Walt’ J. DeGroft, Jr. for 55 years. They married in 1964 and she cared for him each day until his passing from Alzheimer’s disease in March of 2020. She is survived by her 4 children Laura (Jay) Burzynski of Toledo, Ohio, Jay (Beth) DeGroft of Mason, Ohio, Brian (Kristin) DeGroft of Mason, Ohio, and Dr. Kathleen ‘Boo’ (Chris) Blake of Dublin, Ohio and her 13 grandchildren. Kathleen always put her family first, with a truly selfless love. Even as she struggled with dementia, when she was with her children, she would not eat until her children had eaten and often would offer her entire plate to her children at family meals. She was a strong protector and did everything for her family.

All family will be received at Gesu Catholic Church, 2049 Parkside Blvd., Toledo, Ohio on February 10th from 9:00a– 10:00a. Visitation for family and friends will begin at 10:00 am. There will be reflections offered by Kathleen’s children in the gathering area at 10:30a, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. Burial services will be held at Resurrection Cemetery. All are invited to a Celebration of Kathleen’s Life following interment.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org/nwohio and to Ohio Living Home Health & Hospice Toledo 1730 S. Reynolds Rd., Toledo, Ohio 43614. www.ohioliving.org/foundation/donate