Kathleen Blace Capozella Thomas

Dr. Kathleen Blace Capozella Thomas, age 77, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday, Jaunary 26, 2023 following a period of declining health.

Born October 21, 1945, she was the daughter of the late John F. and Loretta G. Murphy Capozella. Her siblings Frederick “Terry” Capozella, Richard Capozella, Felicia Floyd, and Dennis Capozella also precede her in death.

As a lifelong scholar, teacher, and learner, Kathleen will be remembered as someone who sought to use her talents to ensure opportunities for others - especially her students. Upon admission to Divine Providence Academy Boarding School, Kathleen left Dover for Pittsburgh at age 14 and remained there, earning her undergraduate degree in English at LaRoche College. Returning home, she began teaching at St. Joseph High School and, in 1970, was an inaugural faculty member of Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School. Kathleen’s career as an educator spanned 47 years, including positions at Hiland High School in Millersburg, Richardson Junior High School in Oscoda, MI, and Garaway High School in Sugarcreek, where she worked from 1977 until her retirement in 2015.

Throughout her career and personal life, Kathleen was devoted to learning and was a highly accomplished student. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Reading from Ashland University in 1984, a Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Kent State University in 1992, and a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kent State University in 1997. In addition to her teaching, administrative, and supervisory licenures, Kathleen was a National Board Certified Teacher - the highest certification in her field - as well a Lead Professional Educator, a Teacher Consultant for the National Writing Project, a graduate fellow at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College, and an adjunct instructor in teacher education at Kent State University Tuscarawas Campus.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kathleen pursued many hobbies, including reading, writing, baking, walking, and gardening. An active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover, Kathleen enjoyed sharing her baking skills for church events and tutoring young people in reading. Kathleen was a lifelong Democrat and volunteer for the Tuscarawas County Democratic Party. In retirement, she continued her education in Catholic theological studies through the McGrath Institute at the University of Notre Dame.

Kathleen married William H. Thomas on December 27, 1975. William survives his wife of 47 years along with; sons Peter (Julie) Thomas of Suamico, WI, and Patrick Thomas of Dayton, OH; grandchildren Joseph and Elizabeth Thomas; and siblings Joanne (Milton) Hamilton and John (Susan) Capozella of New Philadelphia, Thomas Capozella of Dover, and Angela (Gary) McDonald of Lubbock, TX; many nieces and nephews; and her dog, Murphy.

The family expresses their gratitude to the physicians and nurses at the Cleveland Clinic Cardiac Intensive Care Unit for their care of Kathy over the last month. They ensured that she lived her final hours with peaceful rest, clarity of mind, and fullness of spirit.

Friends and family are invited to call at Toland-Herzig Funeral Home in Dover on Monday, February 6, 2023, 4:00 - 7:00 pm. The Rosary will be prayed at 6:45 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Dover on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 10:30 am with Fr. Jimmy Hatfield officiating. Interment will be at St. Joseph Calvary Cemetery in Dover. A reception lunch will be held at noon at the St. Joseph Parish Family Life Center. To sign an online guestbook for Kathleen, please visit the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.

Memorial contributions in Kathleen’s honor can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Tuscarawas Central Catholic Schools, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

Peace Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

TOLAND-HERZIG, DOVER

330-343-6132

www.tolandherzig.com