KATHLEEN R. HASSELBACH's Obituary
Kathleen Rickey Hasselbach
Born December 20, 1940, to Walter and Veronica Rickey, Kathleen Dolores spent her childhood in Pittsburgh, PA with her two brothers, Walter and Paul. In the 1950’s the Rickey family moved to Miami and Kathy graduated from St. Theresa Catholic High School in 1958.
After graduating, Kathy began working clerical positions to help support her parents and brothers. Hired by Eastern Airlines, in District Sales, she coordinated all of the flight arrangements for the Miami Dolphins.
In December of 1966, two, single dancers paired by chance at the Elks Lodge on Miracle Mile. When time came to rotate to their new, dance partners, John and Kathy continued to dance all night until The Star Spangled Banner played.
On September 2, 1967, John and Kathy married at Saint Brendan Catholic Church. Together John and Kathy welcomed four children into this world: John, Mark, Michele, and Joe.
To Kathy, family always came first. No matter if she acted as a daughter, a sister, a wife, or a mother, Kathy’s family was her number one priority. When her brothers married and started their own families, Kathy didn’t see her brothers as having separate families; Instead, their wives and children were additions to her “one” family.
When her mother was widowed and needed assistance, Kathy opened up her home and was always a caring daughter. Even though Kathy’s brothers, both Walt and Paul, were taken from us too soon, Kathy would forever be their loving sister; she continued her special bond with each and every one of her nieces and nephews.
Her children’s happiness meant the world to her, so for those four smiling faces, Kathy sacrificed. Of course John was always the “provider;” his dedicated work ethic and commitment to family provided the roof over their heads and food on their table. Though, one paycheck can only go so far when faced with four kids’ wish lists of extras. When designer clothing or a toy commercial caught a child’s eye, Kathy wanted to provide the extras. Regardless if her income was from a part-time job with Burdines or selling Tupperware, it did not remain her money for long. Kathy’s paycheck bought her daughter’s Guess jeans and her son’s Transformer Christmas toys. It was the money for music lessons and movie tickets.
No one can bake like Kathy. A list including: German Chocolate Cake, Peanut Butter Cookies, Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cake, Key Lime Pie, and Spiced Nuts would only begin to give her baking skills justice. She even had a brief stint as the business owner of “Kathy’s Gourmet Treats.”
Kathy was always a loving mother to many more lives than the four she brought into this world. She would chaperone camping trips with the Girl Scouts, attend Southwest High Football Spaghetti Dinners and Columbus High band events. As her child, you always had her in your corner to protect and defend you, even when you knew you were the one who made a mistake. If you were a teenage friend of one of her kids, she may have given you an eye of judgment to determine if you might be a bad influence, but her front door, her refrigerator door, and her hugging arms were always open to you.
When her children were all in school and a little older, a temporary office position at Florida International University opened up as a full-time opportunity. There at FIU, she served most of her time as the Office Manager for the International Relations Department. As a caring ear for both colleagues and students, Kathy continued to “mother” at FIU. Professors new to the area would rely on Kathy for anything from dishes, directions, to Thanksgiving dinner. If a student came begging for a professor’s leniency, Kathy’s huge heart would advocate for the student. If colleagues found it a challenge to see eye-to-eye, somehow Kathy could keep the peace. Her loving heart and smile always left a lasting impression.
To be a mother of four, Kathy had to be brave and later in life, her courage continued to grow. When diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, her fight became relentless. Following her first Whipple attempt, any more invasive of a surgery was deemed “suicide.” That did not stop Kathy. She continued chemotherapy and radiation, flew to Baltimore and had her second Whipple at Johns Hopkins. When she was getting ready to lose her hair for the third time, she started wig shopping. After the potency of various chemo concoctions began to dwindle, a clinical trial opened and she signed herself up. Even in her final days, she continued to set goals for herself. She would say “I’m going to get well enough to walk to the bathroom” and “I’m coming back home.”
Kathy, a lover of the Catholic Church, Lipton tea, fine recipes, Macy’s sales, family, and friends. She remained active as a Eucharistic Minister in St. Kevin’s, the Red Hats, Book Club, craft groups, and a local, Pancreatic Cancer Action Network group. Much of her joy came from serving the church, baking, playing bunco, and receiving her grandchildren’s kisses.
While raising her four children with her devoted husband, John, she saw each one of her four children graduate from college. With every college graduation, she beamed with pride. Each one found success on their own path: on the silver screen and as a personal trainer, a part of the Miami Heat Championships and as a father, leading children in the classroom, and facilitating at-risk youth programs.
Families come in all different kinds of shapes and sizes. No matter how different any member of our family may be, Kathy could always find a way to connect. To meet her was to love her. Somehow she had a way of making every one of us feel loved.
Kathy was always grateful for the “extra time” she was given here. Through her rollercoaster of surprises, she never lost her faith. When trying to explain “the mystery” of her health, she would credit God and the love and support from family and friends. To overcome life’s challenges she would advise you to stay close to God, rely on the support of loved ones, and never underestimate the value of a “good, hot meal.”
The Hasselbach family will forever be grateful to our family and friends who did so much for her. Thank you to so many who have been there by her side. Thank you for homemade soup, sending Christmas cards and cheer packages, lighting prayer candles, hospital visits, and for everyone’s love.
Her family would also like to thank all of Kathy’s doctors, nurses, and medical team. The devotion from her primary physician, Dr. Dean Roller, Sylvester Comprehensive Care Center, University of Miami Hospital, Johns Hopkins, and St. Anne’s has been astounding. Thank you for your excellent care, patience, and optimism.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Hasselbach, their four children John, Mark, Michele, and Joe, her daughter-in-law Kimberly, two grandchildren, Jackson and Amelia, and countless friends.
All are welcome to attend services to celebrate Kathy's life.
A funeral mass is scheduled for 1:30 PM Monday, January 16, at St. Kevin’s Catholic Church. Fr. Valle will officiate the ceremony with the assistance of Deacon Tom Hanlon.
Her burial will immediately follow at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, pancan.org
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