Kathy Ann Spiker

Tish was a courageously independent woman with unimaginable strength throughout her 40+ year battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma on October 3, 1954 to the late Russell Ray Tisher and late Gloria “Jean” Becker (Stibbe). Tish was a Ravenna High School graduate with the Class of 1972. After graduation, she quickly became a career oriented woman with employment experience at Evenflo, Mactac, T.L. Squire & Company, and finally at the Record Courier, before retiring in 2005.

In 1975, Tish met the man who she knew would become her best friend in life, Gary. Tish had the patience of a Saint and after a decade long courtship, the two married on August 10, 1985, at the Ravenna First United Methodist Church. The two shared 37 years of marriage and lived each day together as partners committed to their vows for better for worse, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish always. In September 1986, the family of two grew with the welcoming of their daughter, Lindsay. A few years later, knowing her family was not complete, Tish and Gary, celebrated the birth of their son, Troy, in September of 1989.

Her family was her pride and joy and motivation for her fight against MS. Saturday’s quickly became a staple in Tish’s life with lifetime memories of Capital University football game day where she was her son’s greatest supporter on and off the field. Troy and his mother shared a very special bond with his focus on becoming a nurse before taking on his greatest passion with athletics administration. She was his greatest cheerleader in life and always will be.

Tish instilled many traits in her children but none greater than the traits of strength and perseverance, especially in the face of adversity. Two traits specifically shared by Tish and her daughter. Tish could not have been more proud of Lindsay’s success in school and her career with University Hospitals. Success made possible by Tish’s unwavering motherly love.

A major blessing occurred in June 2015, when Tish was promoted to the title of Nana. Bryson Troy, a little boy who would quickly steal his Nana’s heart. These two became the best of friends with Bryson growing up to share her candy, always stealing her Club crackers, and continuously including his Nana to join in on his fun and little boy adventures.

Tish was an avid reader who always had a book in hand. Any day a new Danielle Steele book was released, it was a guarantee Tish would have a copy of the book that day. The Ohio sunshine brought much joy and relaxation to Tish’s life as you could drive by her house and always find her outside in the driveway on a sunny day. Our family hopes you beeped driving by as she was always happy to share a hand wave. Tish greatly enjoyed watching Survivor and the Voice each season. Cooking for her family and providing leftovers to her children’s and neighbor’s homes brought much pleasure to Tish’s life. She was a devoted wife, mother, nana and friend.

She will be greatly missed by her husband, Gary Spiker of Rootstown, her children Lindsay Spiker of Rootstown and Troy (Samantha) Spiker of Uniontown, her grandson Bryson Spiker of Rootstown, as well as her brother, Keith Tisher of Ogden, Utah.

Tish leaves behind several life-long friends: Linda Pepera, Sally Thompson, Joyce Suter, Sue Kentris and her sister in law, Janice Brust.

With great sympathy, Tish will be missed by her caregiver and close friend, Madeline “Missy” Davis. Our family sends you the utmost appreciation for being an angel in disguise giving our Mom, Nana and wife, the greatest days filled with laughter, love and “too much fun”.

Tish is preceded in death by her parents.

Her wishes for cremation are being honored. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, November 6th from 2pm – 6pm at the Kent American Legion – Underwood Hall (1945 Mogadore Road, Kent, OH 44240), to share some of our favorite memories, stories of Tish, to laugh, to cry, and to celebrate this very special person who is greatly missed by so many.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. The family would like to express their appreciation to the nursing staff of University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Lakeside 50 along with Dr. Dang-Khoa Nguyen for their loving and compassionate care.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.