Catherine Strodoski

STRODOSKI, CATHERINE (KAY) Age 98, of Coconut Creek, Florida, formerly of Dearborn Heights, passed away on March 24, 2017. Mother of loving son, Mark Pasternak and son-in-law, Michael Falbo. Most proud grandmother of Sam, who attends the University of Florida at Gainesville and Phoebe, a high school student. One sister, Harriet Cadwallader survives along with numerous nieces and nephews in Michigan and Pennsylvania and extended family Diane and Bill Kapelanski of Brighton, Michigan. Catherine was one of ten children, born in Monessen Pennsylvania, to Polish immigrant parents Jan and Maryanna Kwiatkowski, who like so many others came to America to work in the shops, mills and factories for a better life. In the 1930’s, Catherine left her steel town roots for New York City seeking more opportunity. She entertained us with stories of the World’s Fair, working briefly as a hand model for Macy’s and as a nanny in Brooklyn for a child names Phoebe, the daughter of an attorney Sam, whose names by coincidence would become the names of her present day grandchildren. During World War II, she joined family in Detroit to work in the factories supporting the war effort. In May 1946, Catherine began a 37 year career with Michigan Bell Telephone that she truly loved with a passion. In 1952, she married Edward Pasternak who passed away in 1985. In 1987, she married Frank Strodoski who passed away in 2011. Catherine was one of the founding parishioners at St. Linus and a member of the St. Linus Altar Society, Berwyn Senior Citizen’s Center, Telephone Pioneers of America and a member and officer in the Daughters of Isabella organization. She was perhaps, one of the world’s most avid bingo players and each evening her world stopped at 7 p.m. for Wheel of Fortune. Her apricot kolaczki’s handmade for virtually every family event will be greatly missed.   Family will receive friends Tuesday 4-7 pm at Stanley Turowski Funeral Home, 25509 West Warren, Dearborn Heights. Funeral Wednesday at St. Linus Church (time pending).  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers family requests contributions at Catherine’s request to: Dominican Sisters of The Blessed Sacrament, 29575 Middlebelt Rd, Farmington Hills, MI 48334.  Finally to former neighbors Renee, Ken, Katie and Kenny Seymour who like guardian angels looked over the shoulders of Catherine and Frank allowing them to live independently in the home they loved until the age of 90, our most sincere gratitude and appreciation.