Kathy Woods

Katherine “Kathy” (Hirschelman) Woods, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully with her family by her side. Kathy was born on January 21, 1947, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, to Edwin and Margaret (Henze) Hirschelman. After graduating from Mt. Carmel High School in 1965, she married Robert Woods in 1969, and they built a life together through 57 years of marriage.

Kathy began her teaching career in Albion and Mt. Carmel, Illinois. She and Bob moved to Ohio in 1973 before settling in Indiana, Pennsylvania, in 1977. Kathy continued her teaching career and earned a master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from IUP. She loved teaching children and was a respected elementary educator who dedicated her career to helping her students learn and grow. She always enjoyed seeing and hearing from her former students. She retired from Indiana Area School District in 2007.

Kathy's faith in Jesus Christ was the cornerstone of her life and guided the way she loved and served others. As a devoted member of Grace Church, she served on numerous committees and was both a teacher and Director of Christian Play Day for 3- and 4-year-olds. She also led the Children’s Ministry for some time.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures: morning exercise with friends, playing games, reading, jigsaw puzzles, spending time with her grandchildren, and treasured time spent with her bible study group, the "Honkers." Most of all, Kathy loved being with her family. One of her most cherished traditions was baking every November when she would gather with her daughter and grandchildren to make cookies together.

Kathy is survived by her husband Robert, daughter Amy (Steve) Donaldson, grandchildren Zoe, Gia and Timothy “TJ”, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son Timothy, grandchildren Ava and Theodore Donaldson, her sister Dorothy Grove, brother-in-law Leland Grove, and her sister-in-law, Dorothy Foran.

Friends will be received by the family on Thursday, August 27, 2026, in the Donahue Tylinski Funeral Home, Inc., (formerly Bowser Minich) from 4-7 PM. Additional visitation will be held on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Grace Church from 10 AM until the time of the service at 11 AM, with Reverend Bill Blair and Pastor Kathy Mihoerck as celebrants. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Kathy to Grace Church, 712 Church Street, Indiana, PA 15701, or to the Concordia-IRMC VNA, 850 Hospital Road #3000, Indiana, PA 15701.