Lois Kennedy Herzog

Lois Kennedy Herzog, Toledo native well known for her outstanding business and community work, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 8, 2026, at The Lakes of Sylvania. She was the daughter of Wallace and Una (Hartman) Edwards, of Toledo.

She was a graduate of Libbey High School and attended the University of Toledo from 1949 - 1951, when she left to marry Donald A. Kennedy. They were together 18 years and raised two sons. In 1985 she married Edward S. Herzog, and they shared 23 years until his passing in 2008.

Lois entered the business world full-time in 1958 as executive secretary to the president of Kaiser Jeep Corporation. In 1964 she joined Dana Corporation and held various executive assistant positions until 1972, when she became administrative assistant to the chairman of the board. She moved into her first management role in 1977 as Manager of State Government Relations, and advanced in 1982 to corporate Director of Investor Relations, dealing with Wall Street securities analysts and institutional investors. After completing Dana's first stock offering since going public in 1916, she was promoted to Vice President-Investor Relations, becoming the company's first woman to reach the title of Vice President, which she held until her retirement in 1994.

Along with her busy career, Lois was active in numerous civic and community organizations. She served on the University of Toledo Board of Trustees (1980-83) by appointment of former Governor Rhodes and on the board of the University of Toledo Foundation (1986-94). In 1987, former Governor Celeste appointed Lois to the Ohio Ethics Commission, where she served until 1990. She served two terms as a director of the Lucas County Port Authority (1984-92) by mayoral appointment. Lois was also elected to the board of directors of Ohio Citizens/National City Bank Northwest in 1985, where she served for twelve years.

Among her many honors over the years, in 1979 she was named as Dana Corporation's nominee at the first annual Tribute to Women and Industry. She was named 1980 Woman of Achievement by Women in Communications, Inc.; and in 1985 she received the Distinguished Service Award in Investment Education from the National Association of Investors Corporation. Lois was awarded the esteemed designation of Kentucky Colonel in 1992 in recognition of her civic and industry contributions. In addition, in April 1999, Lois was inducted into the Libbey High School Hall of Fame.

Despite all the above, however, Lois was first and foremost a loving wife to her husband, Ed, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her sons, David (Bev) Kennedy of York, PA; and Douglas (Jan) Kennedy of Sylvania. She also inherited three "bonus" daughters upon marrying Ed, Beth Faure of Santa Fe, NM; Julie (Joe) Kranz of Sylvania; and Tricia (Mike) Akins of Larkspur, CO. In addition, she also was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Traveling with and spending time with her family, gardening, skiing, and enjoying leisure time were her well-deserved and much enjoyed post-retirement activities.

The family plans a private service, with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery to follow at a later date. Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are asked to consider the Edward S. and Lois Kennedy Herzog Scholarship Fund (Fund #1300852) at the University of Toledo Foundation, 4510 Dorr St., Toledo, OH 43615. Donations may also be made online at UTFoundation.org, GiveNow tab, designated to Edward S. and Lois Kennedy Herzog Scholarship Fund.