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WARREN -- Barbara Rae Kohut, 74, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Gillette Nursing Home in Warren.
Born on New Year's Day 1952, she was the eldest of Michael and Helen McLaughlin's seven children.
Rae grew up in Lakewood and Bay Village, graduating in 1970. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from The Ohio State University in 1974.
Rae was certified as a nurse practitioner for adults in 1988.
She met her husband, James Kohut, by chance on her last night of summer vacation in Virginia Beach in 1972. They corresponded by letters, then dated long distance, until they got married in 1975. Rae and James built their family via adoption, adding three daughters to complete their family.
Rae spent nearly all of her nursing career working across Trumbull County in hospital and outpatient settings, primarily for Mercy Health -- St. Joseph Health Center. She retired in July 2024 after 49 years as an RN and NP, choosing to spend her last years in practice working with oncology patients and survivors like herself.
When she wasn't working, she was an active volunteer with the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life and her longtime parish, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
Rae also enjoyed cross stitch/embroidery, Hallmark and HGTV, cheering (or not) for the Buckeyes, Tribe and Cavs, collecting Longaberger baskets and, most importantly, spending time with her family and wide circle of friends.
Rae leaves behind her daughters, Kelly (Kyle) Dirkes, Mallory (Jarrod) Peña and Emily Kohut. She is also survived by her siblings and siblings-in-law, Timothy McLaughlin, Michelle Cox, Scott (Missy) McLaughlin, Maria McLaughlin and Mark (Debbie) McLaughlin. Most of all, Rae will be missed by the girls who called her Nana -- Charlotte, Louisa and Margaret Dirkes, Peyton Burich, Isabella VanHorn and Joselyn Pena.
Rae will be greeted in Heaven by her husband, James; her parents; her brother, Geoffrey; and her granddaughter, Grace Dirkes.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 31, at Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel.
A funeral mass will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, at St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish, Blessed Sacrament Church. Guests are asked to arrive directly to the church.
Internment, at All Souls Cemetery in Cortland, will be private.
In lieu of flowers, Rae's family requests that any material contributions be made to Mercy Health -- St. Joseph Warren Hospital Cancer Center.
Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiand sonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guestbook, and share condolences with Rae's family.
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