Barbara G. Kato

November 6, 1931 – June 2, 2022 Barbara G. Kato, age 90, of Fairport Harbor, Ohio, passed away on June 2, 2022, after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She passed with grace and peace.

She was born in Huron County, Ohio, the cherished daughter of Gerald Gilbert and Gertrude Emma (Adams) Gilbert. She was the devoted wife of 54 years to Robert A. Kato, Sr. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother, William

Gilbert.

Barb is survived by all her beloved children, Robert Andrew Jr. (Colleen), Robert William (Linda), Michael Paul (Janet), Michael James, George (Donna), Denise O’Donnell (Jack), Kim (Rob Law), Kathy (Dave Hill) and her adored grandchildren Joe and Elizabeth Graham, Kyle and Connor O’Donnell, Kristi (Bert Karlovec), Tricia (Chris Young), Jacque Kato, Allison Lenze (Traver), and several great-grandchildren.

Barb graduated from Norwalk High School and received further business management and technical training. She began her career working in the 1940s, in her mother’s restaurant near the Castalia Blue Hole, Erie County, Ohio. Barb then worked as a hostess and waitress at McGarvey’s in Vermillion, Ohio, where she was voted Ohio’s Most Photogenic Sales Hostess from the Ohio State Restaurant Association. She was promoted to management and opened a new restaurant with the owner of McGarvey’s in Grand River, Ohio. In the 1960s she opened, staffed, and ran the Beachcomber which was one of the best seafood restaurants in Northeast Ohio. She then worked with her mother and opened a pizza parlor and bakery in Mentor Headlands. She then went on to work for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and worked under Sheriffs Cunningham,

Walsh, and Dunlap. She ran the Traffic/Accident Division and remained there for 30 years. She retired at the age of 79.

Tireless, devoted, never complaining, loved people, was a friend to many. Anyone that met her, loved her. She treated all equally with grace and compassion. She loved her Lord and Savior and lived a life of faith, hope and charity, embracing the values of the Catholic Church.

Barb was a member of the Western Reserve Yacht Club, president of the WRYC Ladies Auxiliary, president of the Western Reserve Grand River Chapter, and president of the International Satin Gavel. She was a Red Cross longtime blood donor with a total of 20 gallons.

There will be a memorial Mass on Saturday, July 9th at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua, 316 5th St, Fairport Harbor, OH. The family will receive friends at 10:30 a.m. at

the church. There will be a reception at the Slovenian Club, 617 3rd St, Fairport Harbor, OH, from 12-2 p.m.

Memorial contributions should be made to St. Anthony of Padua or Elara Caring Hospice, Mentor, OH (5966 Heisley Rd, Ste 100, Mentor, OH).

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