Kathleen E. "Kathy" Hamilton

Kathleen Elizabeth “Kathy” Hamilton, age 65, of Dover, passed away on December 20, 2025, at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital following a brief battle with pneumonia. She was surrounded by love, with her devoted mother, brother, and priest at her side.

Kathy was born in Dover on July 18, 1960, the daughter of Mary Elizabeth (Helbling) Hamilton and the late Thomas Richards Hamilton. She was a 1978 graduate of Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School and went on to attend Kent State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in education. She later earned her master’s degree from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Kathy dedicated her life to service. She spent more than 20 years with the YMCA, serving in numerous director-level roles, taught gymnastic classes and was essentially a jack of all trades in Columbus, Lancaster, Bellefontaine, and New Breman. During her time in Bellefontaine, she played a key role in the YMCA capital campaign that successfully raised funds for the construction of a new facility. Wherever she served, she left a positive imprint on the lives she interacted with.

After returning to Dover to care for her parents, Kathy began a devoted mission at Sacred Heart Church. She gave her heart fully to the parish, its people, and especially its youth. She first served as Director of Youth Ministries and later as Director of Faith Formation. In these roles, she oversaw baptisms, marriage records, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation, while also ensuring the safety and scheduling of the church building. She dearly loved her “kids,” the parishioners, and the church staff, and she was a woman of deep faith and a very devout Catholic.

Kathy additionally worked alongside her mother as a logistics coordinator for Gospel Road, a service program of the Diocese of Columbus, and coordinated a meeting in Dayton for the North Country Trail, part of the Buckeye Trail system.

Kathy’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished time with her two nieces and nephew and took immense pride in being their aunt. She and Mary traveled together to 49 states, including an Alaskan cruise. Hawaii was a dream she hoped to fulfill but never had the opportunity to visit.

She is survived by her mother, Mary Hamilton, of Dover; her brothers, Jim Hamilton and Mark Hamilton, both of Dover; and her beloved nieces and nephew, Jaye, Owen, and Livie Hamilton. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Brian Hamilton, who passed away on February 29, 1988.

Memorial visitation will be held Friday, December 26, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home in New Philadelphia, with a Christian Wake Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate the Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church on Saturday at 10:30 a.m., with a meal to follow in the social hall. Private inurnment will take place at Dover Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Kathy’s memory to Sacred Heart Church, 139 3rd St. NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.