Catherine H. Collins "Kathy" Lieberth

1943 - 2022

Catherine "Kathy" Collins Lieberth

Hamilton - Catherine "Kathy" Lieberth, 79, of Hamilton passed away after her courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer on Monday, June 20th, 2022 at her home.

Even a snow storm in Cleveland, Ohio, could not keep Kathy from entering this world. Her parents, alongside neighbors, helped deliver their baby girl on April, 15th, 1943, before making it to the hospital. She was ready for this life and she lived life to the fullest from that day forward.

Kathy grew up on a farm in Medina, Ohio, with her four siblings. This is where her love for animals began. She always surrounded herself with chickens, goats, cows, cats and dogs. At an early age, she loved water-skiing on the family pond with her parents, siblings and "city cousins".Growing up, Kathy became an avid golfer, bowler and bridge player.

She attended Ohio State University and also began working at a dentist office. A short time later, Kathy moved to Miami, Florida, residing with her soon to be sister-in-law. Here she continued her passion for dentistry, learning about forensic dentistry with Dr. Souviron in Coral Gables, Florida. She was always so proud of what she learned from this time and continued her passion of being a dental hygienist throughout her many moves over the years.

In the early 1960s she found her best friend and love of her life, Carl Lieberth. Their courtship lasted eight years before she moved back to Ohio, where she and Carl married on November, 26th, 1969 in Wadsworth, Ohio. Kathy and Carl soon started their family with the birth of their son, Joseph, followed by their daughter, Julie. The family made their next adventure in life, moving to the Bitterroot Valley, in the summer of 1979. Here in Hamilton, Kathy and Carl co-owned the Roaring Lion and the Rendezvous restaurants with her family. Through these endeavors they made lifelong friendships and became an integral part of the Bitterroot Valley. In 1987, the family moved to Arizona and later Virginia. Their love for Montana never ceased and they found themselves back "home" in the summer of 1992. At this time, Kathy co-owned a Stucco business with Carl. She worked right alongside her husband for years, climbing scaffolding, cutting foam boards and running the business. Her passion for the outdoors continued and the days of driving her own dune-buggy on the trails of Montana, Idaho, and Arizona grew into the love of ATV riding. She insisted on driving and owning her own Rhino, saying, "I can ride with the best of them". She continued to ride and camp all over Montana and Idaho right up until a few weeks before her passing.

Kathy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. Her up-beat, positive and strong attitude was infectious. Kathy left this world with a strong force-like she came in. She always had encouraging words, the best laughter, the prettiest smile and the best and biggest sassiest attitude. She always fought hard for what she believed in. The impact she had on everyone she knew and met will live on forever. We are all deeply saddened that she is no longer present, but know that she is with us in our hearts forever.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, William Collins and Elizabeth (Russell) Collins, her brother, William "Bill" Collins, and sister in-law, Shirley Collins. Her niece Elizabeth "Beth" Kasel and nephew Michael Collins.

She is survived by her loving husband, Carl, son, Joseph (Kristen) Lieberth of Naples Florida, daughter, Julie (JayMe) Depee of Hamilton, sister Patricia (Joseph) Kasel of Hamilton, brother Michael (Efie) Collins of Tennessee, brother Christopher Collins of Naples, Florida, her sister-in-law Carol and brother-in- law, Steve Lazo of Jacksonville, Florida, her beloved grandchildren, Michael and Carmen Lieberth of Naples, Florida, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family will have an open house/celebration of life on July, 31st 2022. Please come anytime between the hours of 1 pm-6 pm at the family home. The family asks that you bring a favorite memory, story, picture, or poem that reminds you of Kathy. These will be placed in a memory album for the family to have for years to come. Contact Julie (406)381-3903 for directions.