Kathleen Lydia Hiley

Heaven gained an angel when Katie went to be with Jesus on February 9.

Our girl Katie, Katie Bug, Buggy, Buggy Boo had a big spirit and a bigger smile. She exuded God’s joy. Everyone, even perfect strangers, were constantly drawn to her. We always caught her smiling at strangers and waving. Katie had an incredible strength and tackled any challenge with a joyful spirit. From the moment she was born, we were told she was feisty. She was strong. Her light and joy shined so brightly in her beautiful blue eyes that Summit County DD used her in their ad campaign for their levy. She was on billboards, in magazines, on social media, in the newspaper and on city buses for a year. She was smart, especially when she was being ornery. Life was sometimes difficult for her, including a NICU stay and open-heart surgery, but her sweet spirit was never broken. She powered through every challenge that came her way and smiled and laughed through it. All while yelling at the nurses.

Katie loved Mom and Dad but she adored her sister. She never wanted to go to bed without Sissy. She loved giving huggies to Sister. She loved when Sister tickled her. And she was particularly ticklish. Amelia was teaching her Baby Shark and Katie was getting pretty good at it. She always greeted people, including strangers, by blowing a kiss. And she said goodbye the same way.

Katie was created by God exactly the way He wanted her and was exactly what we wanted in a daughter. She was fearfully and wonderfully made. She is God’s first and ours second. And she is fully restored in Heaven, laughing and playing with Jesus and her grandparents. We would give almost anything to hold her again, rock her to sleep, kiss her chin, stroke her hair, tickle her, give her leg rides, hang her upside down, come home from work and hear “Da da da”, or give her a bath again. She liked to find Dad’s belly button and then find her own in turn.

Katie leaves behind Parents, Joshua and Alexandria; Sister, Amelia, desperately missing her. She was greeted in Heaven by grandparents, Kathy and David. She is survived by grandparents, Garry, Vicki, and Margaret; Uncles and Aunts, Derek, Sarah, Gabriel, Angelica, Garry, Eavan, Bradford, Natalie, Trent, Maiona, Majay, Makia, and Matthew; Cousins, Cameron, Samantha, Aiva, Alexandria, Sharon, Charlotte, Brayden, Noelle, Lilliana, Tobias, and Kaheem; and many more family and friends who loved her and were blessed by her.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, February 17, 2024 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Community Church of Portage Lakes, 3260 Cormany Rd., Coventry Township Ohio 44319. A Celebration of Katie's Life will follow at 2 p.m. at the church. Katie's body will be laid to rest at Manchester Cemetery, in New Franklin.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Akron Children's Hospital Heart Center to cover a current patient's outstanding bill:  Akron Children's (fundraise.givesmart.com/form/ZGJJhg?vid=13t44f)