Shirley K Pochadt

Shirley Jeanne Kasch Pochadt died peacefully early on February 4, 2016 at ParkCliffe Community, Toledo, Ohio. She was 91. Shirley Pochadt was born on May 30, 1924, to the late Gerhard and Edna Kasch. Shirley was the devoted wife of the late Robert Pochadt Sr. for 67 years, managing family responsibilities and her own career in education, while giving early support to Robert’s growing local business. She received a BS in Education from the University of Toledo in 1946, where she served as the founding President of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and was a member of the publicity group Toledo Tomorrow. Shirley also belonged to the First United Methodist Church in Sylvania Ohio, The Toledo Club, and was the head of the Frog Ladies, a local hospital volunteer group, as well as Meals on Wheels and other local organizations. Shirley was known to her many friends and circles to be a lady of elegant and graceful bearing. She was acknowledged for her dedication to teaching kindergarten in the Toledo public school system, recalling her own happy childhood that helped forge a lifelong love of little children. Many former students, reacquainted by chance over the years, remembered her classes, recalling that saying that many key life lessons (if not everything) is learned in that kindergarten experience. Shirley loved social events, travel, Broadway shows, and operettas. She also followed the British royalty, and enjoyed her beloved butter pecan ice cream right up to the final days of her life. Shirley always had a delightfully grandiose sense of humor about her birthday, claiming that the Memorial Day parades around that time were actually in her honor. She also frequently joked about wanting a diamond tiara as a birthday gift. Picture Shirley now, splendid with the crown of eternal peace that she has so deserved. Shirley is survived by sons Robert Jr. (Charlene) of Holland PA, and Todd (Ruth) of Sylvania; grandchildren Stephen of Westchester, PA, and Kendra of Sylvania. She was also preceded in death by her husband Robert Sr., a grandson, Andrew Pochadt, sisters Ardelle Diehlman (Ray) and Meryle Sowers (Robert), and brother Stuart “Bud” Kasch. Visitation will be from 11 AM to 8 PM, Friday, February 19, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Avenue (west of Corey Road). Memorial services will be held at 11 AM, Saturday, February 20, at First United Methodist Church, 7000 Erie St., Sylvania with the Reverend Tom Rand presiding.