Barbara Rae Kohut, 74, passed away on 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 Dirkes (Kyle), Mallory Peña (Jarrod), and Emily Kohut. She is also survived by her siblings and siblings-in-law Timothy McLaughlin, Michelle Cox, Scott McLaughlin (Missy), Maria McLaughlin, and Mark McLaughlin (Debbie). 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 Peña.

Rae will be greeted in Heaven by her husband, James, her parents, her brother Geoffrey, and her granddaughter, Grace Dirkes.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31st from 6 to 8pm at Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel. A funeral mass will follow at 10am on Saturday, August 1st 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.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guestbook, and share condolences with Rae's family.