Kathleen M. Strover

Kathleen Matilda Rose Strover (nee McGinty), age 89, died August 14, 2025 in Brunswick, Ohio surrounded by her family. Kathleen was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Michael McGinty (Saula, Ireland) and Mary O'Donnell McGinty (Tonragee, Ireland) on April 12, 1936. She was raised in the Tremont neighborhood. Kathleen attended St. Augustine Elementary School in Tremont and went to high school at St. John Cantius.
Kathleen met her husband, Charles Strover, through her brother, Patrick. As the story goes, Charles parked his boat in the McGinty backyard on West 90th under the guise of repairing the boat in hopes he would have opportunities to talk to Katheen and catch her eye. His plan surely worked for she and Charles had their first date at the Columbia Ballroom and their courtship included many adventures but not to leave out bowling dates and driving lessons from Charles for both her and her brother Michael. In 1960, Charles and Kathleen McGinty married at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church in Cleveland. They moved to Lakewood, Ohio where they raised six children: Thomas, Martin, Susan, Karen, Charles, and Patricia. The family was part of the St. James Parish and School community. They lived in their Lakewood home for forty years. Kathleen and Charles were married until the death of her beloved 62 years later.
Kathleen and Charles were partners in every sense of the word since the 1960's. Not only did they raise 6 children together, but they started two businesses. The first being McC's Pub along with her brother, Michael and sister-in-law Barbara and the second, Lakewood Telephone Systems. Both businesses were run as family owned businesses and were operated along with the help of their children, nieces and nephews as well as kind people who became part of the family. She and Charles made many dear friends through these endeavors.
In the late 60's, they bought land in the rural area of Ashland County and built an A-Frame cottage as an escape from the city. Family and friends enjoyed many memorable times there including summer weekends, Easter egg hunts, Christmas Tree adventures, clambakes, fishing, swimming, playing games at the lodge, and then not to forget the annual family reunions that she and Chuck carried on after her older brother Patrick and sister-in-law, Maggie, retired to Florida. In the late 90's, she and Charles retired to the cottage and called it home for nearly twenty years. During these years, their grandchildren and great children lit up their lives with many joyful days together at the cottage.
In the final years of her life, she recounted many fond memories as a young girl with her family and friends with a special emphasis on living next to "the kennels" on Willey Avenue. This may explain why their home at the cottage became known as a puppy retreat/retirement home, where they cared for dogs over the years that needed love and a safe place to live out their end of days or even a place for their grandpups to stay while their own children were off on an adventure.
Kathleen was a role model of devotion and care. She alongside her husband Charles, sister Nancy and brother Michael cared for their mother until she was just shy of 102. She was also a devoted caregiver to her mother-in-law, Ruth Kratzer Strover. When her son Thomas fell ill to ALS, she and Charles gave him the care he required until his end of days. Then when her sisters Nancy and Mary fell ill, she was right there by their side. Although already well into her own memory stealing illness, as her husband lay dying, she kissed him on the forehead telling him how much she loved him and what a wonderful husband and father he was. Her devotion to her family was unparalleled.
Kathleen is survived by her children Martin, Susan, Karen Marflak (John), Charles, and Patricia McDonald (Robert) as well as her grandchildren: Michael Strover and children Gabriel and Nicholas; Ryan Strover; Kevin Marflak (Rebecca) and children Kevin, Benjamin, Audrey, Charles, and Lucille; Carrie VanNewhouse (Justin) and children Lilianna, Natalie, Julia, and Hudson; Kaitlin Peden (Steven) and children Elizabeth, Lorelai, John and Elijah. Kathleen is also survived by her devoted brother, Michael McGinty (Barbara) and many loving nieces and nephews. Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Strover, parents Michael McGinty and Mary O'Donnell McGinty; her brothers Patrick and Thomas; her sisters, Mary McGinty Babich and Ann (Nancy) McGinty; her son Thomas Charles Strover, and her grandsons Charles Christopher Strover and Kelton Brian Strover.
Kathleen was a loving and compassionate woman who cherished her family and friends. Through her love and wisdom she modeled strength through adversity and living a joyful life. She had a beautiful smile and laughter that lit up the room. She could have your side splitting even if you had come to her in tears of sadness. Living life with fervor, she enjoyed many adventures with family and friends, even traveling to Ireland to see where her mother and father were born and raised at the age of 82. Kathleen loved life, music, singing and dancing. She met friends everywhere she went, whether it was walking with friends through the neighborhood in the evenings, card club with the ladies of the neighborhood, clambakes and other adventures with their friends met from Chuck's days at Ohio Bell, bowling, crafting, sewing, stained glass, lifeguard lessons and even a little experiment with belly dancing class. Kathleen has left a legacy of grace and kindness that will be remembered and will continue to inspire all who knew her. She was always thinking of others making sure they had enough, even extending that generosity to the ducks of Cinnamon Lake that she enjoyed feeding religiously.
Kathleen's family will receive friends from 4-7 PM Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at the McGorray-Hanna Funeral Home of Lakewood, 14133 Detroit Avenue. The family invites you to join them in a toast to Kathleen's life at McGinty's Pub, 13751 Madison Avenue immediately following visitation hours. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM August 20, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, 17514 Detroit Avenue of Lakewood. Interment at Evergreen Cemetery.
With some of her fondest childhood memories of growing up living next to "the kennels" on Willey Avenue comforting her in her final years, the family suggests contributions to the Cleveland Animal Protective League: https://clevelandapl.org/honor-memorial-donations/ or 1729 Willey Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113