Obituary for Jacqueline "Jackie" S. Kardasz (nee Schmersal)
Jacqueline Suzanne Kardasz (née Schmersal) passed away in Cincinnati, OH on Sunday Jan. 23, 2022, after a courageous 7-month struggle with cancer. She was 82.
Born in her family's farmhouse in 1939 in Miller City, OH to Lydella and Othmar Schmersal, she was raised in the farming communities of McComb and Kalida before her family moved to Toledo when she was 5. They joined Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish, and enrolled the children in the parish school. A graduate of Saint Ursula Academy and the Saint Vincent School of Nursing. She met Robert Francis Kardasz in 1958 and went on to marry him in 1960. They moved to Lambertville, MI in 1962 where together they set out to raise 4 children. In 1977 the family completed their move to Sharonville (Cincinnati) OH. In 1978, Jackie returned to her nursing career after several years as a full-time homemaker. Her principal positions were assistant director of nursing at Maple Knoll Village, director of nursing at Bayley Place, and as a medical surveyor for the State of Ohio. Though she loved the medical profession, she always saw herself first and foremost as a mother and homemaker. She continued to work as an RN until her retirement in 2006.
In addition to family and career, Jackie was a devoted volunteer throughout her life. She and Robert devoted many hours to fundraising for their children's parochial school. Inspired by Vatican II, she was at the forefront in their parish to institute guitar masses, a liturgy commission, and a neighborhood religious study group. She worked to help families of female prison inmates, to support women's equality, ecumenical work, and bereavement ministry. She supported many Catholic charities that practice the corporal works of mercy.
For 5 decades she performed as a vocalist and sometimes as a musician for several groups, including the Toledo Choral Society, the Benjamin Locke Chorale, folk and traditional choirs at Saint Anthonys Parish (Temperance MI), Saint Michaels Parish (Sharonville OH), Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and Musica Sacra of Cincinnati.
Jackie had many hobbies. She was excellent baker, expert gardener and accomplished seamstress, avid hiker and adventuresome traveler. Her homes were beautifully appointed by her. She dedicated a portion of each day to creating delicious, healthy meals for her family.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, son and son-in-law Kevin Kardasz and Frank Coluccino of Montréal QC, son and daughter-in-law Derrick and Lisa Kardasz of Lebanon OH, daughter and son-in-law Audrey and Chris Gorman of Cincinnati OH, daughter Kristen Kardasz of Indianapolis, grandchildren Kaylee King (with husband Stephen, of Lebanon OH), Tanner Gorman of Columbus OH, Sophia Gorman of Columbus OH, and Gabriel Sorrell of North Manchester IN; great grandchild Avery King; the Schmersal Family of Greater Cleveland, including brother and sister-in-law Larry and Sue Schmersal, nieces Laura (with Mike) Deyo and Tracy (with Rich) Edwards, nephew Steven Schmersal; nephew John (with Toko) Schmersal of Desert Hot Springs CA; the Strain Family of Toledo OH, including sister and brother in-law Sharon and Tom, nephews Tom and Gary (with Rose), nieces Laurie Skowronski (with Jim) and Becky; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and friends. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her parents and sister Judy, and mother-and-father-in-law Florence and Francis Kardasz.
Those who prefer to donate to charity in lieu of flowers, please help reforestation by clicking on the Plant a Tree link on this page. Jackie loved the American forest and was deeply concerned about its decline. Or, consider a donation to Saint Ursula Academy of Toledo (toledosua.org), a school that gave her a great education and outlook on life that she talked about frequently over the years. Finally, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (cincyblind.org) helped Jackie in later years and is a great charity to support.
Celebration of Jackie’s Life
Please join with Jackie’s family
Friday 28 January 2022
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
7820 Beechmont Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Visitation: 9:00AM
Eulogy and Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00AM
Social and Lunch: following mass
Online: For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be broadcast online. Go to www.church.ihom.org at 10AM, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link. The broadcast will remain posted for a few days following.
COVID-19 Measures
The family requests that guests remain masked at indoor activities except when eating and
drinking. Please be aware that several attendees will be at higher risk due to age or
compromised immunity. When unmasked while eating lunch, those most concerned about
transmission are encouraged to sit with their bubble. Guests are encouraged to have open
conversations about possible recent exposure as a means to help navigate the social setting
safely. Please do what you can to ensure one anothers health and well-being.
Born in her family's farmhouse in 1939 in Miller City, OH to Lydella and Othmar Schmersal, she was raised in the farming communities of McComb and Kalida before her family moved to Toledo when she was 5. They joined Holy Rosary Cathedral Parish, and enrolled the children in the parish school. A graduate of Saint Ursula Academy and the Saint Vincent School of Nursing. She met Robert Francis Kardasz in 1958 and went on to marry him in 1960. They moved to Lambertville, MI in 1962 where together they set out to raise 4 children. In 1977 the family completed their move to Sharonville (Cincinnati) OH. In 1978, Jackie returned to her nursing career after several years as a full-time homemaker. Her principal positions were assistant director of nursing at Maple Knoll Village, director of nursing at Bayley Place, and as a medical surveyor for the State of Ohio. Though she loved the medical profession, she always saw herself first and foremost as a mother and homemaker. She continued to work as an RN until her retirement in 2006.
In addition to family and career, Jackie was a devoted volunteer throughout her life. She and Robert devoted many hours to fundraising for their children's parochial school. Inspired by Vatican II, she was at the forefront in their parish to institute guitar masses, a liturgy commission, and a neighborhood religious study group. She worked to help families of female prison inmates, to support women's equality, ecumenical work, and bereavement ministry. She supported many Catholic charities that practice the corporal works of mercy.
For 5 decades she performed as a vocalist and sometimes as a musician for several groups, including the Toledo Choral Society, the Benjamin Locke Chorale, folk and traditional choirs at Saint Anthonys Parish (Temperance MI), Saint Michaels Parish (Sharonville OH), Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, and Musica Sacra of Cincinnati.
Jackie had many hobbies. She was excellent baker, expert gardener and accomplished seamstress, avid hiker and adventuresome traveler. Her homes were beautifully appointed by her. She dedicated a portion of each day to creating delicious, healthy meals for her family.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Robert, son and son-in-law Kevin Kardasz and Frank Coluccino of Montréal QC, son and daughter-in-law Derrick and Lisa Kardasz of Lebanon OH, daughter and son-in-law Audrey and Chris Gorman of Cincinnati OH, daughter Kristen Kardasz of Indianapolis, grandchildren Kaylee King (with husband Stephen, of Lebanon OH), Tanner Gorman of Columbus OH, Sophia Gorman of Columbus OH, and Gabriel Sorrell of North Manchester IN; great grandchild Avery King; the Schmersal Family of Greater Cleveland, including brother and sister-in-law Larry and Sue Schmersal, nieces Laura (with Mike) Deyo and Tracy (with Rich) Edwards, nephew Steven Schmersal; nephew John (with Toko) Schmersal of Desert Hot Springs CA; the Strain Family of Toledo OH, including sister and brother in-law Sharon and Tom, nephews Tom and Gary (with Rose), nieces Laurie Skowronski (with Jim) and Becky; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and friends. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her parents and sister Judy, and mother-and-father-in-law Florence and Francis Kardasz.
Those who prefer to donate to charity in lieu of flowers, please help reforestation by clicking on the Plant a Tree link on this page. Jackie loved the American forest and was deeply concerned about its decline. Or, consider a donation to Saint Ursula Academy of Toledo (toledosua.org), a school that gave her a great education and outlook on life that she talked about frequently over the years. Finally, the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (cincyblind.org) helped Jackie in later years and is a great charity to support.
Celebration of Jackie’s Life
Please join with Jackie’s family
Friday 28 January 2022
Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church
7820 Beechmont Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45255
Visitation: 9:00AM
Eulogy and Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00AM
Social and Lunch: following mass
Online: For those who cannot attend in person, the service will be broadcast online. Go to www.church.ihom.org at 10AM, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link. The broadcast will remain posted for a few days following.
COVID-19 Measures
The family requests that guests remain masked at indoor activities except when eating and
drinking. Please be aware that several attendees will be at higher risk due to age or
compromised immunity. When unmasked while eating lunch, those most concerned about
transmission are encouraged to sit with their bubble. Guests are encouraged to have open
conversations about possible recent exposure as a means to help navigate the social setting
safely. Please do what you can to ensure one anothers health and well-being.