To honor the life of Kathy Criswell-Martin and carry on her legacy of compassion, care, and comfort to those in need. The creation, maintenance, and operation of Kathy’s House is currently providing a hospitality facility to those patients and their families receiving medical care at WVUMedicine – RMH and those in need in the Greater Ohio Valley. It is designed somewhat like a Ronald McDonald House but it will be for all ages and on a much smaller scale in the beginning.

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Kathy had many, many “best friends” and literally hundreds of them stopped by to offer their stories and condolences during her visitation. It was then that Kathy’s family realized just how many lives she had touched in her life. Every story was pretty much the same. Kathy was selfless, loving, caring and helped everyone. She was considered a second mother, best friend and family to more people than she ever realized. It was all of those stories that made Kathy’s siblings realize that they had to carry on her legacy. She had kept the family together for years since their parents had passed away in 1985 and 1998. Every holiday was spent at Kathy’s house. She cooked and invited everyone including those who just needed a place to go. There were no strangers at Kathy’s house. Everyone was always welcomed, day or night. The phone line was always open for whatever need would arise. Most often, Kathy would get calls to go take care of someone who was sick or got hurt and needed her motherly care. 

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It is all about caring and sharing and helping people.  Kathy’s House Foundation was established in January 2017 after the sudden passing of Kathy (Criswell) Martin.  Kathy was not only a devoted mother, wife, sister and Nana but she was also devoted to her patients, friends and the entire community. Kathy graduated from B.M. Spurr School of Nursing and worked in the nursing field for most of her life only taking time off to raise her children, Todd Thompson and Katie (Thompson) Inclan.  She began with Dr. David Hess when he opened Glen Dale Medicine and Pediatrics along with Dr. Michelle Hess. Kathy was Dr. David’s nurse and Office Manager up until her passing.