Kathleen Ann Hubbard (nee Savage)

Kathleen Ann (Savage) Hubbard, 68, of Cincinnati, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 27, with her loving husband, Dan, by her side. Kathy’s family surrounded her with love during her final hours.

Kathy was born in Augusta, Georgia on May 28, 1957, and was raised in Toledo, Ohio. She attended Notre Dame Academy and Bowling Green State University, where she studied art. After moving to Cincinnati, she received her master’s in teaching.

It was during the early years in Cincinnati that she met and married Dan, and the two of them created a life together for the last 36 years. They were true partners, supporting one another with unconditional, deep, and abiding love.

Kathy was special. A gifted art teacher, she was able to connect with students of all ages and backgrounds, letting them know they were valued and that they mattered. Most of her professional career was spent in the Finneytown school district, and she also taught Saturday classes at the Cincinnati Art Academy in Mt. Adams and at the Taft Museum. After retirement, Kathy continued to teach at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Her classes became the source of countless stories about students who seemed to not quite fit in an art class and yet how they were able to surprise themselves and others when they created something they previously thought impossible. This was the gift Kathy gave us: giving all who knew her a sense of self-confidence and courage.

Kathy was a creator. Through watercolor, basketry, weaving, felting, glass bead making, baking, cooking, and gardening, Kathy brought the best out of people and brought us together. Her art was not a solitary endeavor. She approached all her work with a sense of awe and enthusiasm in the discovery of new ways to transform raw materials into beautiful and often thought-provoking pieces. And she invited people into her process so that we all, too, could awaken a creative part of ourselves. Transformation became the metaphor for her connection with people.

Kathy was a nurturer. With Dan, she took in family members when they needed a home and support. While teaching at Finneytown, Kathy and Dan became the American parents to many young people, offering them experiences and helping to guide them through the difficulties of growing up in an often unwelcoming or confusing world.

Kathy approached life with humor. She brought fun and laughter to us and truly did not take things too seriously. Kathy jumped in with both feet, never over-thinking things and assuming it will all work out in the end. It most often did.

Kathy had an uncanny knack for sharing the best, spot-on recommendations for books, music, and television shows. She knew what she loved, and through her enthusiasm, knew you would love it, too.

One of Kathy’s favorite quotes comes from Rickie Lee Jones, “You never know when you’re making a memory”. Kathy lived her life with this in mind and gave all who knew her memories that made and continue to make us smile. Her memory truly is a blessing.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Dan, sisters Maureen Devos (David) and Eileen Savage, brothers-in-law Chuck Hubbard (Mary, with daughters Jessica and Jenny), Bill Hubbard (with children Michael Hubbard (Brie) and Megan Brown (Nathan) and Ted Hubbard (Peggy, with sons Tim Hubbard (Corey) and Ryan Hubbard (Carolynn, with daughter Maisie). She is also survived by nephews Nathan Devos (April, with grandnieces Ally, Annie, and Aubrey) and Elliott Metzler (Michele), her extended family in Germany, and the children she and Dan so lovingly helped raise: Sita Rai; Pramika, Neha, Biwas, and Norbu Moktan, Neru and Soni Tamang, Monaj Poudyel, and Franck Djidjeu.

We will celebrate Kathy with a service at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a contribution in Kathy’s name to St. Jude Chidren’s Research Hospital: www.stjude.org

Condolences at hodappfuneralhome.com