Katherine McDermott's Obituary
Katherine A. McDermott, age 85, of Amherst, formerly of Lorain passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 29, 2013 surrounded by her family under the care of New Life Hospice. She was born on May 19, 1928 in Mather, Pennsylvania to Michael and Catherine (nee Kurtyka) Zahratka.
She was a 1946 graduate of Jefferson District High School. After graduation from high school she obtained her R.N. degree at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. She worked the majority of her career in the Emergency Room at St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain. At age 47, Katherine was one of the first in Lorain County to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner. She retired in 1989 after 40 years of nursing.
Katherine was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Amherst and a former member of St. John's Catholic Church, Lorain now St. Francis Xavier Cabrini. She was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Altar and Rosary Society at St. John's. She volunteered for many years at New Life Hospice, Lorain. She avid reader and enjoyed watching movies.
She is survived by her children, Daniel McDermott (Laura) of Rocky River, Patricia Raftery (Dennis) of Alpharetta, Georgia, Micki Tubbs (Michelle Tomallo) of Cleveland, Kathleen Bartlome (Bob) of Amherst, Kevin McDermott of New York, New York, Michael McDermott, of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Brian McDermott (Lori) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; grandchildren: Anthony Tubbs, Caitlin McDermott, Alison Tubbs, Adam Tubbs, Matthew Raftery, Nicole Novotny, Jennifer Brewer, Eric Raftery, Paige McDermott, Sean McDermott, Nathan McDermott, Ryan McDermott, Zeke McDermott, Isabella McDermott, Gianna McDermott and Jackson McDermott; brothers, Michael Zahratka, of Amherst, Robert Zahratka, of Amherst, Richard Zahratka, of Lorain; and sister, Diane Zahratka, of Lorain.
Katherine was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Albert J. McDermott; parents, Michael and Catherine Zahratka; brother, John Zahratka; sisters, Dorothy Paskvan, Louise Urda, Patricia Weisheit and Mary Jane McPhillips.
The McDermott family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 30, 2013 from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. Closing prayers will be said on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral center followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain.
Online condolences may be left for the McDermott family at www.dovinreberjones.com
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