Catherine Klega

Catherine Ann Polakavitz was born in Alpha, New Jersey. She was the second daughter of her parents, John and Mary, but her older sister Bertha passed from Diphtheria prior to her birth. Paternal and maternal grandfathers were also both named John.

She later had a brother, John, who went by Buddy or Bud. Times were tough growing up and she often recalled that if not for their small garden out back they would have struggled to eat regularly.

She completed a business/secretarial track in high school and was voted as valedictorian (social, not academic) by her classmates.

She was adventurous and enjoyed a lot of road trips to the PA Poconos and multiple destinations in New England with her female friends. She was often chastised upon return because her cars were not mechanically sound for such a journey.

She was always service-minded and a champion of the little person. She served at the Grail Center in Phila., PA, which supported families with sick or deceased mothers.

She enjoyed her jobs in hospital medical records and as a secretary in a private law office before getting married in late 1969 and starting a family in late 1970. She was introduced for a blind date by her friend Rose Marie Hosking and Dad’s cousin Robert. After a year or so of courtship they were married. I am an only child.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, brother, and husband, somewhat rapidly between 1988 and 1995. She cared for her Father, Mother, and husband in their homes up to their passing. She developed an increased interest in the afterlife, both religious and concerning reincarnation, in the following years.

Catherine eventually moved from Allentown, PA to Bremerton, WA in November 2006 to be with her only family, and because her large, three-story house with a basement no longer met her physical needs following an injury and hip replacement.

She moved four times over 18 years in Bremerton as her independence and care needs changed.

She proudly self-identified as a Jersey-tough, solid, stubborn old Polish/Slavic woman. She is lovingly remembered by all who knew her as a “spitfire” (dentist), “ornery” (primary physician), and “fighter” (Assisted Living Staff). Her facility staff often joked with her about who was tougher, her from Jersey or them from Philadelphia or Brooklyn. I'm biased, but I think it was a close tie.

She was not a fan of big organizations or big government. Whether on purpose or not, she seemed content to remain small and allow others to grow. She was very proud and supportive of her son “Jay”, Daughter-in-Law Debra, and four grandchildren: Donovan 27, Daniel 26, David 20, and Jillian 10.

She will be remembered fondly and visited often in Forest Lawn Cemetery’s Fatima Grotto Columbarium. When I first visited to select a niche, the sun filtered gently through the trees and a slight breeze offered hints of flowers and fresh grass. As we cleared the rise, a small deer grazed alongside a winding stream, and I felt immediately that this was a place that she would find eternal rest.