Kathleen A. (Coogan) Stapleton

Kathleen Stapleton, 72, of Naples Florida entered into her eternal life on Friday April 28, 2017 after her courageous fight against cancer.  Born in 1945, in Cincinnati Ohio, to Joseph and Vera Coogan.  She is survived by her husband of 50 years, John (Pat) Stapleton. 

She graduated from Ursuline Academy in 1962 and from Good Samaritan Nursing school in 1966, both in Cincinnati OH.  She met her husband Pat in Cincinnati where he attended Xavier University.  They were married on October 22, 1966.  Soon after they moved to Michigan where Pat started his career with General Motors. 

She is survived by her husband Pat; children John Jr. (Allyson) of Rochester MI; Steven (Laura) of Indianapolis IN; Michael (Jennifer) of Cincinnati OH; six Grandchildren, JP (John Patrick III), Bryan, Logan, Owen, Anna, and Ryan.  She is also survived by her brother James (Kathy); sister-in-laws Diana Coogan, Joyce Loynd, Alyce (Larry) Hallman, and Eileen Stapleton.  Her extended family also includes 20 nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents Joseph and Vera; her brother Gerald; sister-in-law Mary (Oscar) Socia; brother-in-laws Tom Stapleton, and Jim Loynd.

Kathy dedicated her life to raising her three boys. She especially loved summer baseball where some weeks she would chauffer and attend 7 games. Teaching religious education was also something that Kathy loved doing. She was a faithful Catholic her whole life and was proud to raise the boys in the Catholic Church. Family memories were made over the years with car rides to Sea World, Kings Island, Six Flags, and Disney. There were also many extended family gatherings for Mother’s Day lunch and Christmas Day dinner where she was happy to host the large Stapleton extended family.  Kathy loved to play cards. She and Pat were part of the same pinochle group for over 25 years.  Kathy was a talented seamstress.  When the boys were young, she sewed many of their clothes and costumes.  Kathy had a fearless approach to life and wasn’t afraid to try anything new. She learned to play golf later in life and it became a sport she loved. In retirement, Pat and Kathy enjoyed trips to Hawaii, London, Switzerland, Paris and Germany to name a few.

Pat and Kathy moved to Naples, Florida in 2001 and immediately fell in love with the Vanderbilt community. She loved the people, the golf, the community spirt of helping, and socializing at the club. She received over 1,000 cards and e-mails of support over her 2-year battle with cancer. She treasured and appreciated each one. Kathy kept her great sense of humor right up to the end and will be dearly missed.

There will be a celebration of her life with a Mass at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Naples Florida Thursday May 4th at 10 am with a luncheon afterwards at Vanderbilt Country Club.

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