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Kathleen Robenalt Obituary
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Kathleen Snow Robenalt, 63, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2019, after a long battle with cancer.
She is survived by her husband Bill Robenalt, and three sons, Jack (Lauren Dillon), Sean, and Frank, all of Ann Arbor. Also surviving are her parents, Dr. Bill and Marge Snow, of Lima, along with her sisters, Genie, Houston, TX; Julie Reese (Clint), Cincinnati, OH; and brothers; Mike (Mary), Cincinnati, OH; Dan (Diane), Portland, OR; and Greg (Molly), Chicago, IL, and seven nieces and nephews.
Kathy was born April 19, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri. She grew up in Lima and graduated in 1974 from Lima Central Catholic High School. She received her B.S. degree in speech pathology from the University of Cincinnati in 1978, her Master's degree from Auburn University in 1980, and then earned her Decorate from the University of Michigan in 1985. On December 17, 1984, she married William Robenalt, of Lima.
Kathy was the Book Depository Manager at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School from 2010 until she retired in April of 2019. She served as the Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Book Festival for seven years. She also found passion in volunteer work and her faith, first at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Marietta, GA, where she served on the Women's Guild, ran the yearly "Apple Annie" arts and crafts show, and received the parish Woman of the Year award in 1998. She channeled this volunteerism again in Ann Arbor, where she was active on the PTSO board at Pioneer High School from 2002 to 2011, including Athletic Booster Club President for three years. She was also on the board of the Pioneer Men's Lacrosse Team in various capacities.
She found particular joy in her children and their friends, helping each find their passion and always encouraging them to continue to grow and learn. An avid reader, she was known even in her final days to read each issue of "The New Yorker" cover to cover. She enjoyed her large contingent of friends, her bunco group, tennis, and in her later years even warmed up to dogs.
Visitation will be at Nie Funeral Home at 3767 W. Liberty Road, Ann Arbor, MI on Sunday, July 7 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be Monday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 530 Elizabeth St., Ann Arbor. Burial will follow at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery in Ann Arbor. Contributions may be made to Lima Central Catholic High School.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Robenalt
Karen Bucksbarg
July 21, 2019
I am so saddened to learn of the of Kathy's passing. My prayers for Bill and her sons. We shared many good memories while we both lived in Marietta GA at St. Ann's Catholic Church. The fun times at Apple Annie and the Women's Guild. I am so sorry Kathy had to fight the battle of Cancer again. May you rest in peace! Karen Bucksbarg
Adele Wineburgh
July 18, 2019
I am so saddened at the loss of beautiful Kathy
I had the pleasure to live next door to this amazing family for several years here in Marietta Georgia
Kathy always had a smile and kindness was her middle name.
No words can express my sadness for the family
Bundle up those memories and hold them dear forever
Much love
Adele Wineburgh, Sammy and Lauren
Tricia Ireland Carmichael
July 5, 2019
To Julie and family, my deepest sympathies. Her and my brother are up there looking down on us... and they are happy now. We will miss you but never forget you!
Dena Heighton
July 5, 2019
Kathy was a friend to everyone that she knew. She was my co-worker at Pioneer High School. We both came from Lima, Oh. I had the honor of having lunch with her many times in the book depository as she rarely went out for lunch. She loved her family very much. Her husband and sons were everything to her. She was so proud of them. You will be missed by many. You were a fighter to the end but never complained. God has taken an angel with him. Rest In Peace, my friend, until we meet again.
Susan (Duckro) Fulton
July 3, 2019
Kathy was a classmate from elementary to high school. My sincerest condolences for your loss. Rest in peace Kathy.
Jerome Meredith
July 3, 2019
Dear Jack and Bill,
Your Ann Arbor trivia team mourns the loss of your mother and wife. We extend our deepest sympathy. The team has fond memories of the times Kathleen and Bill joined us at The Wolverine Brewery. Take good care of yourselves and each other.
Timothy, Smitty, Chris, Janet, Andy, and Jerry
Jerry Meredith
July 3, 2019
Dear Jack and Bill,
Your Ann Arbor trivia team mourns the loss of your mother and wife. We extend our deepest sympathy. The team has fond memories of the times Kathleen and Bill joined us at The Wolverine Brewery. Take good care of yourselves and each other.
Timothy, Smitty, Chris, Janet, Andy, and Jerry
Jeannine Essick Carrier
July 3, 2019
I was blessed to see Kathy at the K of C fish fry when we were both in Lima at the same time. She remained the same caring, intelligent and informed person I knew in school. I am thinking of her today with many fond memories. May she rest in peace and her family find comfort in knowing she lived an amazing life and was well loved.
Joe and Kim Page
July 3, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Bill and your family at this time. Rest In Peace Kathy.
Faith (Spring) Cummings
July 3, 2019
Please know that you are all held close in prayer and thought at this very difficult time. God bless you Dr. Bill and Marge Snow and family and special blessings to the precious Robenalt family. Kathy was such an accomplished woman who loved her family and community. What a spirit of sharing her passion. God be with you all...from the family of Gene and Oz Spring
July 3, 2019
To: Dr and Marge Snow, My heart is aching for you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Barb Moening
Denise (Moran) Zimmerman
July 3, 2019
My sincere condolences to the Robenalt and Snow families. You are all in my prayers at this difficult time.
Carole Doepker
July 3, 2019
So sorry for your loss, prayers for your family. Carole Doepker
Karen Hower
July 3, 2019
I'm sorry didn't know you well,especially since you were just a bit younger than i at LCC.sometimes that made a world of difference and then sometimes none. In our case a world.
Except that world brought us to meet in a secondhand way. Thru your very very Special Parents.I imagined you again thru them, their matter-of-fact way of going thru their days. Nudging in a few facts of things that have been going on, since I saw them last.Giving only slight views of the turmoil they were feeling in their lives. Coming to reknow the lost neighbors we once lived by.
Findging such Joy in their company and stories of family and what special things they were doing. Even the ordinary everyday things were fun to hear about.
Gave me the view into an extraordinary set of Parents that no matter what obstacles they faced in life, built a great family purely out of Love.
My heart and prayers of comfort go to your entire family, she has been blessed in this life just by being part of you
Matthew Childers
July 2, 2019
Rest in Peace Kathy. A life well lived albeit way too short. The Angels in Heaven have new member. To Bill & the boys and all the Robenalt's and Snows ---know you have a ton of support and strength from family and many friends! Sincere Condolences.
Allen Tamar
July 2, 2019
My condolences to the Robenalt family and especially Bill and his boys. I am sure they have many happy memories with Kathy that they can hold dear the rest of their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with them.
Rosemary (Chiazza) Thomoson
July 2, 2019
My deepest sympathy to Kathy's entire family. Praying for comfort for al of you.
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Nie Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. - Liberty Road Chapel3767 W. Liberty Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
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