Kathleen “Kathy” Jo (Crownhart) Gleason, 74

Dec 6, 2021

Kathleen “Kathy” Jo (Crownhart) Gleason passed away on Dec. 4, 2021, at age 74 in Wareham after complications from a courageous 10 year fight with lung cancer. Kathy was the widow of the late Dr. Thomas “Tom” Louis Gleason, and they shared an exceptional 48 year marriage until his death in February 2020. Kathy was the best mother you could possibly ask for to the couple’s three children: Lori Caddoo and her husband Bill of Wayland, Ryan Gleason and his wife Juliet of Cheshire; CT; and Patrick Gleason of Wareham.

Kathy was predeceased by her mother, Pauline Edith (Mears) Crownhart, and her father, Floyd Crownhart, of Kansas City, Missouri. She was the youngest child to her older sister Patricia (Crownhart) Hanson and her husband Steven of Manhattan, KS, and her older brother Floyd Crownhart Jr. and his wife Mary of Gladstone MO. Kathy was also a much-loved grandmother to her five grandchildren. 

Kathy fostered a love of international travel, thanks to her father’s occupation as a mechanic for TransWorld Airlines (TWA). This influenced Kathy’s decision to receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish from the University of Kansas. Upon graduation, Kathy enrolled at UCONN, where she received a Master’s Degree in Special Education.

Kathy’s teaching career spanned over 20 years, pausing while she started a family. In the mid-90s, she returned to the classroom, this time in Wareham as a high school Spanish teacher. She was regularly a favorite among students for her caring, positive attitude, and genuine desire to see them succeed. 

In addition, Kathy volunteered with many different organizations including: the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League; mentoring in the Right of Christian Initiation For Adults (RCIA) program at St. Patrick’s Church; assisting with the St. Patrick’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society serving a former president of the Friends of the Wareham Free Library; and, most recently, a former president of the Wareham Cultural Council.

Kathy was also an avid fan of all Kansas Jayhawk athletic teams, the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, and often saw the Red Sox play the Royals at Fenway Park. She also enjoyed watching “Dancing With The Stars,” kept an extensive collection of flamingo-themed memorabilia, participated in a monthly book club, enjoyed regular dinners with friends, lunches and day trips with “the girls,” and supported her five grandchildren however and whenever she could. Kathy will be remembered with love by anyone who knew her.

Kathy’s family would also like to extend its sincere appreciation to the countless doctors, nurses, technicians, support staff, private aides, relatives, neighbors, and friends who provided care during every stage of her illness. Thank you for your expertise, assistance, compassion, and support!

Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Wed., Dec. 8, 2021, at Chapman Funerals and Cremations, 2599 Cranberry Hwy. (Rt. 28), Wareham from 4 to 7 p.m. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thur., Dec. 9, 2021, at St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High St., Wareham at 10 a.m. Interment will be at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Thomas Gleason Memorial Scholarship Fund, 6 Lookout Lane, Wareham MA 02571, or to Southcoast Health online at: https://www.southcoast.org/philanthropy/tribute-gifts/ and selecting either option relating to cancer care from the dropdown menu at the bottom of the page.

For directions or to leave a message of condolence visit: www.chapmanfuneral.com.