Kathleen Thornton Scarmack 1933-2024

She was born Nov. 20, 1933, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late William B. and Mary Agnes Devaney Thornton, hailing from lovely Swinford, County Mayo, Ireland. She was their last living child.

She attended Sacred Heart Grade School and was a 1952 graduate of East High School. After graduation, she worked for three years as a typist at Penn Railroad. She attended Youngstown State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1959. She continued her education over the next 10 years with graduate studies at various colleges, including St. John’s College (Cleveland), Marygrove College (Detroit, Michigan), Ursuline College (Louisville, Kentucky), Brooklyn College (Brooklyn, New York) and Walsh College (Canton). Her graduate curriculum focused on reading and speech. She was a lifelong learner.

Kathleen entered the Ursuline Convent in Youngstown in 1955, where she spent the next 15 years. Taking the name Sister Kevin, she loved the sisterhood and sharing in community. She made lifelong friends and always lived out the mission of Angela Merici, the founder of the Ursuline sisters. These Catholic nuns responded to God’s call by meeting the needs of all of God’s children, especially the most vulnerable.

But then a new calling came for Kathleen, that of a wife and mother. She married Andrew C. Scarmack of Farrell, Pa., on June 10, 1972. They had two children, Ann Marie Zuschin (Michael) of Sagamore Hills and Andrew J. Scarmack (Jennifer) of Canfield.

Besides her children, she leaves behind six grandchildren, Anthony, Max, Mason, Lily, Sophia and Mia. She also leaves behind close friends, Sr. Maryann Diersing, Mary Sue Chiaberta and Patricia Harrington; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Her teaching career spanned 40 years. She taught at St. Nicholas, Struthers; St. Ann, Youngstown; Holy Family, Poland; Sacred Heart, Youngstown; Immaculate Conception, Youngstown; Our Lady of Lourdes, East Palestine; St. Columba, Youngstown; St. Patrick’s, Hubbard; Youngstown Public Schools; and Farrell Public Schools. Her work with children left an invaluable and indelible mark on the community of Youngstown. Teaching first and second grade was her favorite; imagine the number of children she prepared for their First Holy Communion. She was delighted when she saw past students.

She really enjoyed cooking. This Irish lass learned how to make a pot of sauce that would rival any Italian. She also made wonderful pasta fagioli, wedding soup and the best nut roll in Youngstown.

She loved watching sports and kept track of scores of games from all the schools where she knew someone playing. The Cleveland Guardians definitely kept her company over the years.

She loved going out to lunch. She loved to shop, rarely for herself. Boutiques were her favorite, and specialty food stores. She always knew what the latest fashions were. People often remarked on her wonderful sense of style.

She loved attending her grandchildren’s events. Seeing Anthony in musicals, watching Max on the ice or football field, seeing Lily on the tennis court and Sophia on the basketball court brought her so much joy, but what she loved the most was conversation. She loved it when people would drop by, and she would always have a sweet roll and coffee at the ready. At 91, she was texting and Facetiming her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends near and far.

Throughout her life she was a parish member of Sacred Heart, Youngstown; Saint Dominic, Youngstown; Our Lady of Fatima, Farrell, Pa.; St. Patrick, Hubbard; and St. Michael, Canfield.

Besides her parents, Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Andrew, who passed July 10, 2021; her brothers, William “Bill,” Jack, Michael and James Thornton; and sisters, Carolyn “Jean” Cappabianca, plus Margaret and Patricia Thornton.

Family and friends, please join us for calling hours 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, at the Fox Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman, and prayers 9:15 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Church, 300 N. Broad St., Canfield, celebrated by the Rev. John-Michael Lavelle.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown, next to her late husband.

Contributions can be made in Kathleen’s memory to the Ursuline Sisters of Youngstown, 4250 Shields Road, Canfield, OH 44406.

The family would like to send a special thank you to Akeso Hospice and Hospice of the Valley for their astute, loving care.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Edward J. Fox & Sons Funeral Home, 4700 Market St., Boardman. Family and friends of Kathleen may visit www.foxfuneralhome.org to view this obituary and to leave condolences for the Thornton and Scarmack families.

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