Kathleen “Kathy” Ruth Crumbaker, 75, of St. Petersburg, Florida, answered the Lord’s call to heaven on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, passing peacefully at home after a long and courageous battle with a terminal illness.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 11, 1951, to the late Burnette Richard Hill and Ruth Jeanette Hill (Rogers), Kathy grew up as a doting big sister who loved athletic activities, especially horseback riding. She attended Cuyahoga Community College before transferring to West Virginia University. It was at WVU where she met her husband of more than 30 years, James “Jim” Crumbaker. Together, they built a life and raised a family of three children whom she treasured above all else.

Kathy’s grand adventure through life took her from her roots in Ohio to West Virginia, Connecticut, Louisiana, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Vermont, and finally Florida. She faced every transition, new location, and fresh start with her signature optimism, bold resilience, and an eagerness to discover what each new place had to offer. While her children were young, Kathy’s primary joy was being a loving mother and dedicated homemaker – all the while enjoying creative passions like gardening and crafting. But, her seemingly boundless energy eventually drove her to branch out into various entrepreneurial endeavors as her family grew, including eventually opening a gorgeous, custom-designed bed and breakfast where she so lovingly cared for her own mother.

Fiercely bold, stubborn, and wonderfully adventurous, Kathy attacked life with an undaunted spirit. She loved traveling and vacationing with her family and friends, traveling across the U.S. and to Europe, Mexico, Thailand and United Arab Emirates. Kathy was defined above all by her deep, unshakeable faith as a child of God. Despite any hardship she faced, Kathy was quick with a warm smile, a hearty laugh, and a kind,
encouraging word. She was a beautiful, open-hearted soul whose greatest purpose and ultimate joy was seeing the people she loved experience joy and reach their goals.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband and devoted father to their children, Jim, and her parents, Burnette and Ruth. She lives on in the hearts of her three cherished children: Wenonah “Wendy” D. Shipley and her husband Mark of Morgantown, WV; Brian J. Crumbaker of St. Petersburg, FL; and Jessica A. White of Boston, MA. She is also survived by her two adored grandchildren, Haley A. White of Boston, MA, and Tyler A. Shipley of Lafayette, IN; her two sisters, Janet Grassi (and children Michael and Lisa) of Palm Bay, FL, and June Bonavich (and children John and Christa) of Medina, OH; as well as many extended family members and dear friends.

Kathy lived out her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, in every chapter of her life, and she remains dearly loved and forever missed.

Kathy’s life and legacy will be celebrated at a Garden Party to be held at Sea Breeze Manor Inn in St. Petersburg, Florida on September 5th , 2026.