Kathleen Rae Dool

Kathleen “Kay” Rae Dool, 71, of Vernon, N.J., passed away peacefully with family at her side on Tuesday afternoon, May 14, 2019, at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. from stroke complications associated with Cerebral Amyloid Angioplasty (CAA). Born May 28, 1947 in Medina, she was the daughter of the late Raymond (dec. 1973) and Rebecca (Shafer) Krebs.

Kay was married for 51 years to Patrick M. Dool. The couple moved to Vernon in 1980 from Buffalo, N.Y. She graduated with the highest academic honors in education from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, in 1969 and was a teacher in Ohio, in New York, and in New Jersey, where she retired as a Vernon Township High School special education science teacher. She was a dedicated teacher who explained science concepts by engaging students in hands-on projects. Her students saw her lead using quiet, yet firm, expectations.

While living in Vernon, Kay was primarily a homemaker raising four daughters, where family time and family dinners were the focal point. She also served as a Brownie Scout troop leader and school volunteer. After retirement, Kay enjoyed yoga and other exercise classes at the YMCA in Hardyston, N.J.; she played Mahjong and participated in the Wednesday knitting group at the main branch of the Sussex County Library. Kay was a talented homemaker, seamstress, knitter, weaver and cross-stitcher. She was an avid reader. Among her friends, Kay was a good listener who had a bright smile and stood up for the underdog.

Kay grew up on an 80-acre farm, helping her father milk cows, turning hay bales, collecting eggs, and attending to other farm chores. She graduated from Medina High School in 1965 and attended the University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H., prior to transferring to Kent State in 1966. Kay did postgraduate work at William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J.

She is survived by her husband, Patrick; four daughters, Marcy (Peter) Pollicino, Kara (Joseph) Dool-Mason of Middleburg, Va., Kassandra Dool of Whitehall, Pa., and Lindsey (Robert) Brooks of Maplewood, N.J.; her mother, Rebecca Krebs-Root of Medina; two brothers, Norman (Alexandra) Krebs of Albion and Kirk Krebs of Hapersville, N.Y.; sister-in-law, Dolores Brice of Spartanburg, S.C.; five nieces; one nephew; and grandchildren, Andrew and Kayleigh Mason of Middleburg, Damien Dool of Whitehall, and Brynnleigh Brooks of Maplewood.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wed., June 12 at Hope Church, 1441 Rt. 565, Wantage, N.J. Pastor Paulo Freire will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity or hospice of one’s choice.