Catherine "Kitty" Tobie

Catherine (Kitty) Tobie passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023, after a well-lived life of 95 years. She will be long remembered for the great love she showed to her family. Catherine was in the care of the Austinburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, and her children were continually by her side. She was born May 28, 1927, in Howland, Ohio, to the late George and Helen Rishel. In school, Catherine was also known as Kitty, and she kept the nickname. She loved band, singing, and attending school events with her friends. Kitty was also called, “The Pepsodent Kid” because of her beautiful smile. She went on to graduate from Ohio University and then in the 1950’s married Michael Tobie and they made their home in Jefferson, Ohio. Catherine was employed by Ohio Bell in Warren for many years. There she worked as a switchboard operator in the early days of telephoning when companies used manual telephone switchboards. She was also a switchboard operator for Ashtabula General Hospital. Catherine was also employed by Sears and Roebuck for many years in Ashtabula and retired from there. She enjoyed working the South and East gates of the Ashtabula County Fair during the summers. When not working, Kitty enjoyed singing in the choir at St. Joseph’s Church in Jefferson, was a member of the Genealogical Society, was an avid birdwatcher, and she loved the former Cleveland Indians baseball team, which is now the Cleveland Guardians. She often attended the Cleveland Film Festival, enjoyed driving throughout the area, and cherished the time she once visited friends in Germany and Spain. Kitty is survived by her children, Thomas G. Tobie of Cuyahoga County, Joseph M. Tobie, Loretta (Tobie) Pinelli, and Mark D. Tobie, all of Ashtabula County; grandchildren, Christina (Pinelli) Trout, Eric Tobie, Michael J. Tobie, Jason Tobie, Aaron Tobie, Michael Tobie, Jennifer Pinelli, Matthew Pinelli, Jeremiah Tobie, Christopher Turano, and Bella Tobie; great-grandchildren, Lanie Mae Tobie, Lee Trout, Jacob Trout, Landon Tobie, Sophia Tobie, Spencer Tobie, April Dodd, Elliot Tobie, Sophia J. Tobie, Grayson Tobie, Killian Tobie, Adeline Tobie, Luca Tobie, Cam Tobie, and Emadie Tobie. Preceding her in death were her husband, Michael Tobie in 1980; grandson, Joshua Tobie in 2021; parents, George and Helen Rishel of Niles, Ohio; sister, Louise Nozzarella of Virginia. A private service celebrating Catherine’s life will be held by her family. Burial will take place in Ray’s Corners Cemetery in Lenox Township. The family wishes to extend a special “Thank You” to everyone who loved Catherine and enriched her life. Lake Erie Cremation and Funeral Services, 1500 Harpersfield Road, Geneva, Ohio, assisted the family with arrangements. www.LakeErieCrematory.com

Catherine "Kitty" Tobie

May 28, 1927 - April 8, 2023