Katherine Ann Boustead

onneaut- Katherine "Kathie" Ann Olah Boustead, 69 passed away peacefully at home while sleeping on Tuesday January 21, 2025.
Kathie was born on February 16, 1955, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the daughter of Dr. John M. Olah and Winifred Virginia (Logan) Olah. Kathie graduated from Bethel Park High School Class of 1973 and later received a business degree from CCAC-McKeesport.
Kathie was a devote catholic often worshipping at both St. Mary and St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Churches, St. Mary's attracted her because of proximity but shared a lot of her faith through Cabrini in the later years influenced by her son's enrollment there through his entire adolescent years being a student at St. Francis Cabrini from K-8 grade.
Kathie was proud of a lot of things-nothing made her happier than a random "hello" or "hi"-her last name fit her well enunciated as "Hola" (Spanish greeting saying hi but means to attract attention or shout encouragement). Her name couldn't describe her any better other than her always staying close to home, never traveling. "Though she had never been to Spain she kind of liked the music."
As Kathie ventured into the working world, she found herself working in various arenas amongst the consumer retail work world leading to most of her employed career working at different positions at Giant Eagle in the Pittsburgh area. Her next career transitioned her into being self-employed as a stay-at-home mother and wife-full time never refusing almost requesting overtime. All Kathie ever wanted to do in life was to have a family and raise one son- to which she had a baby boy on her birthday. They say nothing too good lasts too long, after three and a half years of "everything she ever wanted" she almost overnight had to take over two full time careers in addition to the one she currently had as her husband was taken away early due to illnesses acquired through his military career as an active United States Marine during the Vietnam era. Not only did she step up and own the dad role, but she also had to make time to generate income to support her family, as Kathie does the absolute best she can with what she has, she converted her family home into a duplex rental unit and now re-entering the workforce as a property manager/landlord. Making life work she was able to save enough money to acquire another property to continue the same trend leading to a lifetime career in just that, owning, renting and managing properties around the Conneaut, Ohio area. Not only was she able to financially sustain raising a family she created a situation that allowed her to incorporate her son and through teaching, troubleshooting and persistence I was lucky I had the opportunity to have a full time mom that taught me everything she knows and when we didn't know what to do she provided the confidence and persistence to understand and overcome absolutely anything we encountered. In hindsight, I'm now thankful to her for showing me the ropes, how to persevere and move forward. I can genuinely say I did not see this coming, and I was not prepared at all and now realizing she had already prepared me as I am writing her obituary being influenced by her spirits shouting encouragement.
Kathie was happy, often laughing and smiling. This "out of nowhere" loss came as a surprise, but now it is easier to understand and absorb, by feeling ease in that she passed at home, in bed at rest. Although, it was probably the least likely way I would expect to have her taken away but feel peaceful knowing it was the most deserving way for her to go. In hindsight, I feel it would have been less of a shock if she passed away from a tragic mishap clearing icicles from a gutter standing on a 40-foot ladder in the middle of an ice storm.
Kathie was proud of her family-three generations of chiropractors, which heavily influenced her holistic approach to life and well-being. Although she rarely, if ever, went to see a physician or went to the hospital and she lived her entire life pain or ailment free.
Kathie was a member of the Moose Club, Elks, and the American Legion Auxiliary, which was most dear to her heart as her father and husband were veterans, influencing her ongoing support.
Anyone that knows her will remember her as a kind, understanding and giving person often putting others before herself. She loved plants, flowers and all kinds of animals, but especially her dogs "Bear and Benny". Aside from gardening and any type of outdoor activities she spent a lot of her time buying, collecting, fixing and restoring clocks; pun intended 100%-her favorite being the most accurate, dependable and never not working.
Kathie's memories will be forever remembered by her son, Dr. John P. (Amy) Boustead; her beloved grandchildren, Lillian and Andrew; sister-in-law, Judy Olah; nephew, Jason Olah; great-niece, Josie Olah and her mother, Tracie Simoni-Olah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bob" J. Boustead; parents, Dr. John M. and Winifred V. Olah; and a brother, Dr. J. Michael Olah.
Local Calling hours will be at Thompson-Smith-Nesbitt Funeral Home, 345 Main St., Conneaut, Ohio on Sunday February 2, 2025 from 12:30P.M. until 2:30P.M., where a ceremony to follow, with Deacon Nicholas Iarocci, officiating.
Traditional catholic ceremonies will take place in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her ashes laid to rest, at a date to be announced later by the family.
The family is requesting a "celebration of life" to be held by means of planting a plant/flower Thursday, March 20, 2025, on the FIRST DAY OF SPRING. My mom seeing new growth or life in the spring was her absolute joy. Anywhere and everywhere is an option. Kathie's yard and garden may have a flower or two already growing in it, but I welcome anyone and everyone to plant something at her house on March 20th. Don't have a green thumb-this is your chance to put anything on her grounds to celebrate her life and it will be sure to take off and flourish!
In consideration of flowers, any type of living, perennial plant would be most appreciated- as Kathy strongly disliked cut flower arrangements.
Online guestbook and condolences available at www.thompsonsmithnesbitt.com