Kathleen Mariani

Kathleen “Kay” Mariani went into the arms of Jesus on January 19, 2024.

Born on February 11th, 1936, Kay was a long-time resident of Niles Ohio, where she lived with her late husband Tony, and two sons, Michael, and David.

All her life, cooking was Kay’s medicine—it sustained her and nourished the spirits of all who knew her.

She first worked at her parents’ restaurant, The Parkway, working in the kitchen or serving customers while her brother tended bar.

In the 70s, Kay started her own pizza shop, Mariani’s Pizza. After relocating the operation to Madison, Ohio with her Aunt Marie, the family spent many summers on the shores of Lake Erie, making pizza and serving the community.

For a few years, she shifted her talents to run the bakery at the Sparkle Market in Niles. She then spent 5 years cooking in a nursing home, where she prepared 3 meals a day for 100 residents. They were endlessly thankful for the creative love and care she dedicated to her food.

Aside from her remarkable professional endeavors, Kay was happiest cooking in her own kitchen for anyone who entered her home. Every meal was a special occasion, hours long with no extravagance spared. When gathered around her kitchen table, people were fully embraced. Her culinary legacy is so much more than food—it’s selfless love.

She had a green-thumb, a landscaped front yard that made people stop and stare. She loved sports, especially NASCAR, because she fancied Jeff Gordon. Saturdays were for college football and the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Her dog Jiffy, sat perched on her lap, always. In her earlier years, she was a Niles-McKinley Dragons super-fan—she never missed a game.

She is preceded in death by her husband Anthony “Tony”, Father Gus, Mother Della, Brother Pete (June). Widowed early in life, she is finally reunited with the love of her life.

She leaves behind son David, dog Jiffy, son Michael (Lorrie), granddaughters Sarah Kay Durr (Chris) and Emily Dreger (Kyle). Her 4 great-grandchildren who lit up her life; Oliver, Quinn, Henry and Morgan.

In her last days, she was grateful for the care she received at the Gillette nursing home in Warren, where she lived since May 2023. Her wishes were not for a funeral or calling hours, but a celebration of life at a later date.

Her memory will live on, in the hearts of those who knew her food—it cannot be forgotten.

Rest in peace, Kay.