Kathleen M. Gerski

Kathleen M. Gerski, 52, passed away June 17, 2026. Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1974, she lived in Akron and then Cuyahoga Falls.

Kathleen spent 24 years as a writer and then managing editor for the West Side Leader and South Side News Leader newspapers. She also was a GED Instructor for Project Learn for 17 years.  She was a member of the Class of 1992 at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron and a Kent State University Class of 1997 graduate.

Kathleen loved writing, teaching, taking care of animals, gardening and spending time with her family and friends. She had a bright, sunny personality, with a smile that would light up a room, and she was a warm, compassionate person who cared deeply for everyone in her life.

Kathleen is survived by: her husband, Sean; her brother, Brian Collins; her sisters, Mary Ellen (Harold) Johnson and Christine (Rob) Heiser; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Mary Collins, and her sister-in-law, Noreen Collins.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Donovan Funeral Home, 17 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge, OH. A funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Interment will take place at Chestnut Hill Memorial Park, 2613 Sackett Ave in Cuyahoga Falls, on Friday June 26, 2026, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Project Learn of Summit County in Kathleen's memory. Donation information is available at www.projectlearnsummit.org/support-us. Kathleen's work with Project Learn was very meaningful to her and any support would be greatly appreciated.