Pauline B Kaza

Pauline Beverly Kaza (Merritt) passed away peacefully on Friday, May 15 after battling a long illness—which she fiercely fought every step of the way. She always looked at the positive of every situation as she was always moving forward and living life each day to its fullest. Pauline worked both inside and outside the home all throughout her life, and wore many hats at various times. She was foremost a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. She graduated from Springfield High School. After graduation she pursued a career in cosmetology owning her own salon and eventually working in various other salons throughout her career. She then became an administrative secretary at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy where her children attended school. Pauline then pursued a career as a real estate agent initially with Geneva Chervenic Realty, then retiring from Re/Max Realty. As well as, becoming a member of both the Silver Lake Garden Club, and later on in her life the Lemon Bay Garden Club where she would enjoy special programming and volunteering opportunities.

She had an eye for beauty and loved being surrounded by it—as a self proclaimed designer both inside and outside her home. She enjoyed flowers, art, photography, theatre, boating, kayaking, traveling and learning about new things. In the end, she lived everyday to the fullest and as best she could. Pauline loved her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and loving husband of 43 years, who passed away too young, Robert G. Kaza (1940-2002). She will be loved and missed by her family who will always love her as Mom.

Pauline is preceded in death by both of her parents Paul “Pete” Merritt and Twyla Merritt (Beal). She is survived by her Daughter Kimm Kaza Bond (Little) and husband David Bond, Grandson Tyler Little, and Great Grandsons Gabriel, Robert “Beau”, and James Little. Her Son Stephen Kaza and wife Melissa Kaza, Grandson Tanner Kaza and wife Abby Kaza, Great Grandsons Cash Kaza and Crew Kaza; Granddaughter Hunter Kaza Swaim and husband Daniel Swaim, and Great Grandson Henry Swaim, and Great Granddaughter Ivy Swaim; Grandson Drake Kaza and wife Belle Kaza, Great Grandson Cameron Combs, and Great Granddaughter Kylee Combs. Concluding with her youngest Daughter Katrina Kaza Honkala and husband Dennis Honkala, Grandsons Quinn Honkala and Cohen Honkala and wife Brigette Honkala, and Pauline’s only sister Kathleen “Joyce” Moreck (Merritt) and husband Michael “Mick” Moreck (1946-2024).

Thank you to all the people who knew, loved, and took care of Pauline at Pebble Creek—you did so with such kindness. Thank you to all the people who knew and loved her in Florida.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 from 12:00-2:00 PM at 490 Hyman Avenue, New Franklin, Ohio, 44319. Please visit www.sscfuneralhomes.com to offer a condolence, share a memory or light a candle.