Katherine ‘Kay’ Marie Smith Johnson of Ashland, OH and formerly of Villa Park, IL passed away on March 30, 2025, at the age of 99. She was born on June 9, 1925, in Chicago, IL to Frank J. and Mary (nee Nagy) Smith. She graduated from Steinmetz High School in Chicago in January 1943 and a few years later, on June 26, 1948, married Alfred Herbert Johnson to whom she was married 56 years and had three children.
Throughout her married life, Kay was a homemaker, focusing her time and energy supporting her family in all their endeavors. She was an active member of Community Congregational Church of Villa Park where she was a member of Martha Circle and choir and volunteered her time as a deacon and helping with the Clothes Closet. She enjoyed traveling and instilled a desire to see our country and the world in her children. Kay was a devoted mother and the best grandma ever. Her grandchildren could do no wrong and no matter where they were in the country, grandma and grandpa would always visit. Traveling was difficult by the time she had great-grandchildren but she always asked about them and enjoyed videos of dance recitals, soccer games, swim meets and school activities.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, special friend Ralph Black and her two brothers, Elmer (Alice) Smith and Andrew (Eleanor) Smith.
She is survived by her children Susan (Scott) Raivio of West Linn OR, Nancy (Michael) Udolph of Ashland, OH and Kurt (Beth) Johnson of Fairfax, VA.; her grandchildren Steven (Amber) Udolph of Lawrenceville, GA, Gregory (Charis) Udolph of Tyler, TX, Matthew (Tracy) Raivio of San Jose, CA, Logan (Trista) Raivio of Wilsonville, OR, and Gabriela Johnson of New York City, NY; her great-grandchildren Cole, Hudson, Kaylee, Layne, Owen, Reid, Sullivan and Wyatt; her niece, Carole Dublinski of Arlington Heights, IL and her nephew, Kenneth Smith of Palatine, IL.
The family would like to thank the staff of Lutheran Village of Ashland and the staff of Gentiva Hospice for the care, kindness and compassion they showed Kay in her final days.
A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Interment will be at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Donations in Katherine’s memory can be made to her favorite charities: Shriners Children’s Hospital (https://donate.lovetotherescue.org/) or National Parks Conservation Association (https://www.npca.org/give/memorial-tribute-giving). Neptune Society is in charge of arrangements.
Funeral Home: Neptune Society, Parma