Kay Ann Saum

Kay Ann Saum, age 56, of Newcomerstown, passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital, Dover, from complications of emphysema.

Born June 9, 1968, at Fort Dix - McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, she was the youngest of six children of the late Ralph Richard and Janet Deloris (Linkous) Saum. Kay Ann moved with her family at a young age to Ohio and attended Northwest Local Schools in Canal Fulton. She was a loving mother and worked hard all of her life. She was employed as a drywall finisher, a nurses’ aide, a zoo worker - she loved animals, and on a farm in Portage County. She would tell you that, other than being a mom, she liked the farm the best. In her spare time, Kay Ann was an amateur photographer.

Kay Ann will be dearly missed by her children, Jonathan (Tanya) Smith of Akron, and Amanda (Kenneth) Smith of Cherryville, North Carolina; her grandchildren Ethan Smith and MaQuenzie Dixon; her sisters and brothers, Connie (Douglas) Saum-Hoover of Carrollton, Saundra Stewart of Lancaster, South Carolina, Richard Saum of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Stephen (Christine) Saum of Cambridge, Jodie Quattrocchi of Florida, and Rose Smith of Texas; her brother-in-law, Ted Story of Newcomerstown; her many nieces and nephews; and her longtime friend and companion, Russ Potts of Newcomerstown.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Lynn Story.

Kay Ann was an organ donor who gave of herself to help others. She will be cremated through the care of the Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory, Dover. There will be no visitation or ceremony. The family suggests that contributions honoring Kay Ann be made to Bliss Veterinary Services, 488 East Canal St., Newcomerstown 43832, to help provide financial assistance.