Kathryn M. Bedel

Bedel
Kathryn Mary (Nee: Sullivan), loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away in the company of her family on August 27, 2019, the Feast of St. Monica.

Kathy was born to Edward and Hazel (Berninger) Sullivan in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 13, 1937. A lifelong learner, she attended Batavia High School and the College of Mount Saint Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University), where she studied education and history. On a blind date during her freshman year, she met her future husband, Len, a graduate of Elder High School and a student at University of Cincinnati, from which he later graduated. They were married on December 26, 1959.

She taught at Reading High School before taking years off to raise her four daughters. During that time she was also an active volunteer with Girl Scouts and her parish. After the family moved to West Virginia, Kathy adopted the state as her new home and came to study and love all things Appalachia. She taught junior high school at Our Lady of Fatima School in Huntington, WV for nine years. She was often identified by her students as the hardest - and best - teacher they ever had. While in Huntington, she earned her Master’s Degree in Education from Marshall University.

In 1986 she began teaching at St. Helen School in Dayton, OH where she remained until she retired from teaching when Len was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband until his death in 2005, and having earned her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Wright State University, she also worked in the Children’s Room at Wright Memorial Public Library in Oakwood, Ohio until 2014.

At that time she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and made the decision to return to her roots in Cincinnati and the scene of some of her fondest memories, her alma mater. She moved to Bayley Place Assisted Living, an apostolate of the Sisters of Charity right across the street from the The Mount. There, for several years, she continued reading, knitting, watching Jeopardy, cheering on the Reds and doting on her twelve grandchildren. As “Grandma” or “Aunt Kathy,” she was always known for sharing her love of reading and the gift of good books.

Kathy was devoted to her Catholic faith and trusted God’s will for her even when it was very difficult. She received the sacraments with gratitude and interceded faithfully for her loved ones, particularly her grandchildren. Her favorite prayer was the Memorare, which she said frequently until the final days of her life.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents and by the love of her life, Leonard. She is survived by her daughters Karen (Rick) Dardeen, Diane (John) Tarvardian, Nancy Barnes, and Suzan (Eric) Sammons; by her grandchildren Heather Dardeen; Alexander and Christopher Tarvardian; Drew, Jack, and Noah Barnes; Anna, Lucy Kathryn, Maria, Peter, Hope, Madeline, and Lydia Sammons; great grandchildren Ainsley Dardeen and Barrett Peet; and by her siblings Ann (David+) Fallert, Maureen (Ernie Mynatt+) Sullivan, Peggy (John) Gohman, and Michael (Lori) Sullivan as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 30 from 5:00 - 7:30 at Radel Funeral Home on Neeb Road in Delhi, Ohio. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Church on Hawthorne Avenue in Cincinnati at 10:00 on Saturday, August 31. The Rite of Committal will follow at Old St. Joseph Cemetery’s Resurrection Garden on West Eighth Street and Seton Avenue.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Leonard Center Dayaway Program:

Attn: Lisa Franz in memory of K. Bedel

St. Leonard Center Dayaway Program

8100 Clyo Road

Centerville, OH 45458

Tributes & Condolences

Posted by Ashley Young (Honerkamp) on September 05, 2019 (20:30)
Kathy Bedel was an absolutely amazing woman, I will miss her very much and will always be grateful for the friendship we had.

Posted by Diane (Dee) Carney on September 01, 2019 (17:25)
Dear Girls ... so VERY sorry to hear of your loss. Your mom was, without doubt, the favorite teacher of all 3 of my children. And many, many others as well, to be sure. We have good, good memories of her. Please be assured of our prayers for your entire family.

Posted by Michael Billnitzer on September 01, 2019 (16:54)
Dear Nancy and family - The love, prayers and support of all of your friends at ESOP and Benjamin Rose are with you during your time of loss. After learning a bit more about Mrs. Bedel this week, it's clear to see that her values, love of family, education, exploration, charity and work ethic live on through you as shining examples of how to live life well. What a blessing she must have been to have as a parent, teacher and role model.

Posted by Michele on August 30, 2019 (17:08)
Diane, sending you all much love at this time. Your mom was quite the lady....the genes run deep!

Posted by Michael Carney on August 30, 2019 (16:17)
Mrs. Bedel was without question my favorite teacher. She was very strict but very fair. To this day I remember and utilize many of the grammar rules she was so insistent that we learn. My thoughts and prayers go our to all of her family on their loss.

Posted by Robin M. Wilson on August 30, 2019 (09:15)
Thinking of you Nancy and family as you move through this difficult time. Our hearts and thoughts are with you.

Posted by Meaghan Dobson on August 29, 2019 (23:38)
Kathy and Len were so generous to me and Jim when we moved to Ohio. They gave us a lifelong friend in Nancy. Much love to all of the Bedels.

Posted by Jen Arrowood on August 29, 2019 (13:47)
Diane & Family, Sending love to you all as you grieve for your mother. She has left behind a beautiful legacy in you and in the many lives that she has so obviously touched!

Posted by Roberta Campbell on August 29, 2019 (11:44)
I'm very sorry about your loss.

Posted by Jim Treacy on August 28, 2019 (11:45)
My heartfelt condolences to the family. Mrs. Bedel was an incredible influence on my life and continues to do so. She was one of the greatest teachers I ever had and I know many others in my class feel the same. I will be thinking of you during these difficult days.

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