Kathleen Mary (Ward) Moore

Kathleen Mary (Ward) Moore, 63, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully on the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Bronson Battle Creek. 

Kathleen was born August 24, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan to Robert and Rosemarie (Kolevar) Ward. She grew up through elementary school in Armada, Michigan, and moved to Battle Creek in 1974, graduating from Lakeview High School in 1979. Kathleen earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Kalamazoo College which included a semester in Caen, France that ignited her love for travel. She began her career as a Marketing Specialist for Bill Knapp’s Restaurants in 1984 before joining her alma mater’s Center for Career and Professional Development. In the midst of a growing family, Kathleen dedicated the next decade to fostering love inside their home. After her six children had entered school, she transitioned back into the workplace as the Liturgy Coordinator/Bulletin Editor/Receptionist at St. Philip Catholic Church. In 2009, she joined Community Action as a Human Resource Assistant. Since 2011, her coaching ethos infused everything she did, and she found her true passion when she became a Family Coach and subsequently Special Projects Coordinator for the Calhoun Intermediate School District. From 2019 to 2023, Kathleen was the Executive Director for Battle Creek Shared Services Alliance. A Certified Professional Coach, Kathleen impacted countless people through her coaching practice. 

Kathleen was united in marriage to Kevin Moore at St. Joseph Catholic Church on June 18, 1983. Surviving are her husband, Kevin; children, Lissa (Jeff) Layman of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Patrick (Ashley) Moore of Battle Creek, Abby (Saud) Al Bassam of Kuwait, Andrew (Courtney) Moore of Grand Rapids, Peter Moore of Battle Creek, Anna (Jackson Wright) Moore of St. Paul, MN, Karl Moore of Phoenix, AZ; grandchildren, Maddison, Mckenzi and Lincoln Moore, Bo Moore, Eli Benedict Moore born on September 10, 2024; her father, Robert M. Ward of Battle Creek; siblings, Tim (Mary) Ward of Birmingham, MI, Anne (Jim) Speese of Battle Creek, Maria (Tracy Wright) Ward of Grand Rapids; and an abundance of in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and their families. Kathleen was preceded in death by her mother, Rosemarie, and her godfather, Uncle Russ Semelsburger. 

Kathleen lived for her faith, her family, and the outdoors. She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish and a fierce advocate for public education. Avid campers, in the early years of their marriage, Kathleen and Kevin often camped while attending away sporting events for their kids. Although she was well-traveled, her favorite spot in the world was Wilderness State Park in Northern Michigan, where she vacationed with family each summer. A member of the Lakeview Board of Education since 2003, Kathleen spent 16 years in leadership positions, including serving as President from 2008 to 2017. Her passion for education and belief in the impact school boards can have on student learning led her to the Michigan Association of School Boards where she served on the Board of Directors and was President from July 2023 to July 2024. On August 19, 2024, she received MASB’s highest award for an individual board member, the President’s Award of Recognition, for completing a minimum of 1,383 education credits. As evidenced by the long list of organizations she was involved with, she never stopped learning, growing, and engaging with her community. Her commitment to equity led to improved services for families with young children throughout Calhoun County and the state. Kathleen was a lifelong learner, deeply compassionate, and devoted to building her community. She loved campfires, reading to children, red wine and pizza, crocheting blankets, being submerged in Lake Michigan, and making Rosaries and her famous chocolate and peanut butter chip cookies. The fun was in the baking, as her grandchildren can attest: a messy kitchen meant time well spent! Kathleen will be remembered for her dedication to children and her push for better education. Her true love and affection was contagious to everyone she met. Above all, Kathleen adored her family and always celebrated her role as wife and mother.  

To celebrate and honor Kathleen’s vibrant life, please wear bright colors. Friends will be received 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 12, 2024, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care Battle Creek, where the Rosary will be prayed at 8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be Livestreamed and may be viewed at: https://vimeo.com/event/4567729. A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Kathleen’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 13, 2024, at St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish, 421 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006. Those who would like to celebrate Kathleen’s life but are unable to travel to Kalamazoo will have the option to join virtually (https://www.facebook.com/sttomskazoo/videos). 

Following Mass, we invite you to continue celebrating Kathleen’s life and sharing your joyful stories with us at a light reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview Schools Educational Fund (LSEF) to create a grant or scholarship to honor her commitment to the students, staff, and administration of the Lakeview School District and the service and recognition she has provided to the District at both the local and State levels. 

If you would like to join in this endeavor, you may do so in 3 ways: 

• Make a donation in the envelope provided at any service;
• Mail a check made payable to LSEF, 15 Arbor Street, Battle Creek, MI 49015 with Kathleen Moore on the memo line;
• Go to https://lsefspartans.org/index.php/donate-now/. Select PayPal, and write Kathleen Moore on the note/memo line.

Memorial contributions may also be made to the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, (https://parkinsonsmi.org/support/) and the Susan G. Komen (https://www.komen.org/).

 Personal messages for the family or remembrances of Kathleen may be placed at https://www.farleyestesdowdle.com/obituaries/kathleen-moore.