Kathleen M. Natalino, musician, researcher, stargazer, puzzle-master, LeBron James’ fan, and mother of eleven (Weinberger) children died peacefully at home in Akron in the early hours of March 6, 2024. She was 93. Kathleen’s life was a study in contrasts framed by the ethos of Cheaper by the Dozen and The Feminine Mystique. She was born May 14, 1930. Kathleen was adopted in Jordan, MN, by older parents, Clara and Joseph Grams. She was a treasured only child. From a young age her parents lavished her with musical training: piano, violin, dance, and voice lessons.
Kathleen married Morris Weinberger when she was 17 and they had eleven children together and moved across the country three times for Morris’ academic degrees and positions. (They divorced in 1976.) As the family grew, they lived in MN, CO, NY, KS and OH. Never, as she sometimes called herself, “just a housewife,” Kathleen made music a constant in her life, to the benefit of her children. Wherever she was, she sang in and directed church choirs. While living on Long Island she took the train into NYC for voice lessons. Her children were all encouraged from young ages to play an instrument.
Kathleen started her undergraduate education at Wichita State University at age 36. From Wichita, the family moved to Bowling Green where she completed a BA in sociology at Bowling Green State University graduating summa cum laude. She went on to earn an MA in sociology from Pittsburgh University and a PhD in sociology at BGSU. Kathleen enjoyed doing research and she was awarded Most Distinguished Dissertation. Between Pittsburgh and Bowling Green Kathleen met Agostino (Augey) Natalino. They married in December 1977 and lived in the Akron area. Kathleen was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Akron University and she also taught at Cleveland State University. Her research on rural juvenile delinquency was cited in articles in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Washington Post. Kathleen’s love was for research, not undergraduate teaching, and she left academia for new pursuits.
Kathleen helped with Augey’s small business, and they opened a used bookstore on Copley Circle (Augnat’s Book Exchange). Together they traveled, sailed, and danced with the Sons of Italy where Augey was a member. They joined the Akron Astronomy Club, invested in telescopes, and met at Portage Lake to study the stars. From 1985-87 Kathleen wrote a column, Astronomy, for the Akron Beacon Journal.
Kathleen was an original member of the Akron Symphony Orchestra’s annual Gospel Meets Symphony event founded in 1994. The 150-member choir is
comprised of community members and area church choirs. In 2004, Augey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and getting to rehearsals was a challenge. Her last performance was in 2007. After Augey’s death in December 2008, Kathleen returned to music, playing the organ for the predominantly Korean Ghent Christian Church which she enjoyed enormously. She played until the latter years of her life and played piano at home until a month before her death.
Kathleen was a news hound and an avid reader. With her limited resources she took care of others, taking the neighbors’ children to school and buying canned goods on sale for the food pantry. She loved dogs and each of hers was rescued. She also loved LeBron James and would point out his home each time she drove past. Kathleen was a master at Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble. Until very late in her life she finished NYT crosswords with speed and ease. She was an unconventional mother and grandmother and immensely proud of her family. She showed up for her children and enjoyed their friendship. She set a powerful example and instilled in her children passions for music, learning, and caring.
Kathleen leaves behind her children: Elizabeth (Phillips) Angelo (Edward), Mary Kay Bishop (Michael), Stephen Weinberger (Chris), Ann Weinberger (Rosco Rouse), Margaret Weinberger, Barbara Weinberger (Kurt Kleinmann), Rosemary Curtis (Greg), Teresa Weinberger, and Janet Weinberger; daughter-in-law, Julie Lindemann (Michael Weinberger); “adopted” son, Will Heizer; stepsons Jeffrey Natalino (Pat) and Randy Natalino. Kathleen had 12 grandchildren: Howard, Kwame, Harolyn, Michelle, Monica, David (deceased), Peter, Elisabeth, Anna, Kathleen, Maura, Cameron; four step-grandchildren: Jille, Andrew, Nelson, Andres; and six great-grandchildren: Elana, Kobi, Jalen, James, Joey, and Nora.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband, Agostino (Augey), her daughter Linda Weinberger, grandson David, and her son Michael Weinberger.
Kathleen’s family is very grateful for the care and support of Pastor Jae Young Rhee, Ghent Christian Church; Cleveland Clinic Healthcare at Home; Cleveland Clinic Hospice, and special aides Marchelle and Floretta.
Memorials to Kathleen may be made to Ghent Christian Church, P.O. Box 603, Bath OH 44210, or any animal rescue organization.
A celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held Sunday, May 19 at noon, Hummel Funeral Home, 3475 Copley Rd., Copley OH.
