Kathleen Jeanne (Kobal) Reed

Kathleen Jeanne Reed nee: Kobal died peacefully at home, in Springfield Illinois, with her family on July 22, 2024. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 5, 1939, the daughter of the late Pauline Grill and Joseph Kobal. She brought a beautiful daughter Karen(Reynald) de Castro into our world with Estel…and raised her being known as a “Super Mom” sharing life’s precious moments. Kathy known as “Cookie” to her cherished sisters, the late Ann “Babe” Masiulewicz, the late Bernadette “Bunny” (Jack) Leptich and to her favorite brother Joseph (Rosa) Kobal. To her son-in-law, Reynald, her grandchildren, Jesse and Kaya de Castro, nieces, nephews, many cousins and friends that  she considered family, she was known as a “True Friend” and simply one of the “BEST”!!!

She retired from Jewel Foods as the deli Manager. At the Jewel on North Avenue in Chicago, she met her best friends. They enjoyed a lifetime of friendship and margaritas together at their favorite Mexican restaurant. 

Kathleen was active with the Girl Scouts of America for many years and became a co-leader for her daughter’s troop. Some memorable trips included being snowed in at Camp Cloverleaf, sleeping in a bat filled cave and cooking eggs on rocks. She met her best friends while being a Girl Scout leader, they loved spending time together camping and raising their daughters together. 

Kathleen moved to Tennessee and married the love of her life, Estel. Together they farmed corn, potatoes, green beans, and tomatoes. You could find them selling together at the local farmer’s market. The “city girl” became the farmer's wife. Canning her crops was a skill she learned on the farm. In Tennessee, she met her best friends who enjoyed playing cards, having luncheons, and laughing and talking for hours.  

She had a second career at Appalachia Habitat for Humanity in Scott County Tennessee. She started as a carpenter with AmeriCorps for Habitat. In her final position, she helped people become homeowners by collaborating with them on the budgeting and finance processes,  as well as their volunteering requirements. She loved to host dinners for the groups of students that would come during the summer to help build houses for the people of Scott County. Kathleen was very active in the Pine Hill Volunteer Fire Department. She helped fundraise by organizing monthly community dinners, raffles, and other fundraisers. 

She finally moved to Springfield, Illinois to live with her daughter’s family. She spent the last few years water walking and doing water aerobics at the local YMCA pool 5 days a week. She attended daily luncheons at Senior Services of Central Illinois. She loved the new friends that she met.

She loved her family and friends. Remembering birthdays and anniversaries by sending cards and letters gave her joy and happiness. Over the last few months, she often commented that she needed to catch up on her correspondence with family and friends. 

Kathleen, “Grannie,” was so proud of her grandchildren and loved them deeply. She watched cross country, soccer, track meets, piano recitals, karate, horse lessons, and musicals. She loved playing Dogopoly and horsie with them when they were little. 

She loved working puzzles and reading. She loved black coffee and Southern Comfort. She loved ice cream and a good Chicago hotdog. She loved her brother and sisters, nieces and nephews and her cousins. She loved her daughter and son-in-law and her grandchildren. She loved her friends and family with all her heart.

Kathleen “Cookie” will be laid to rest on August 9, 2024 at Resurrection Cemetery 

*PLEASE park in Letter B – as you come through the gates it’s on the right hand side of the office building(flag pole in front of building) Do NOT park in the parking lot as that is for visitors at 10:50 am proceeding to the cemetery chapel for the committal service to be followed by a Celebration of Life luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to:

St. Jude Catholic Church 

13067 Scott Hwy 

 Helenwood, TN. 37755

Phone# 1-423-569-9584  

Arrangements entrusted to Debbie Zefran Jerry funeral director, one of Cookie’s Little Brownie Girl Scouts and friend.

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