Kathleen (Ott) Durso, 78, passed away Wednesday, June 3, 2020, at Glenridge Senior Living Community in Sarasota, Florida, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on April 30, 1942. She was the oldest of 11 children of the late Joseph and Murita (Westerhold) Ott.
She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1960 and went on to earn her teaching degree from Mary Manse College. She taught grade school at Campbell School and St Mary’s School. She was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Osprey, Florida.
She is survived by her husband, Francis (Frank) Durso whom she married in November 1972. They had the first wedding reception held at Sawmill Creek in Huron. Shortly after marriage, they relocated to Arlington Virginia where they raised their daughters. They then moved to Merritt Island, Florida where she was very active in the Church. They chose to retire in Sarasota at Glenridge Senior Living Community.
She is also survived by two daughters, Elena and Steve Barham of Sterling, Virginia, and Andrea and Steve Lehn of Arlington, Virginia, and four granddaughters, Kendra and Juliana Barham and Rachel and Kaitlyn Lehn. She also survived by her sister-in-law, Eleanor (Durso) Sangillo, who has been instrumental in her care in the last several years.
Kathleen or Kay as her family called her is survived by her brothers and sisters, Dave (Barb) Ott, Huron, Bonnie Ott, Dubuque, Iowa, Laurie (Louie) Bartlebaugh, Fairborn, OH, Jeri (John) Wassner, Sandusky, Julie (Rob) Hamilton, Sandusky, Ron (Liz) Ott, Sarasota, Florida, Marsi Miranda, Middle River, Maryland, Russ (Dodie) Ott, Bellevue, Malia Ott, S. Amherst and several nieces and nephews.
Kathie enjoyed cooking and loved spending time with her granddaughters. Her and Frank also enjoyed antiquing.
In addition to her parents, Kathie was also preceded in death by a brother, Lennie in 2012, and a brother-in-law, Howard (Bunk) Trautman in 1986.
Private services will be held in Sarasota. She will be buried in Sarasota National Cemetery.
Those wishing to contribute to Kathie’s memory may do so to The Alzheimer’s Association or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sandusky. Your Traditions Funeral Chapel of Sarasota is in charge of local arrangements.