Katherina H. Kekedy (nee Harmatos)

Funeral Date July 7, 2020

Visitation Monday, July 6 from 5 – 8 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, July 7 at St. Helen Church at 11 a.m. (Please meet at church). If unable to attend mass, here is the link for the website for the live streaming of the funeral mass:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyB3TBINOXwTyvGreTZBPg

Burial Shadyside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Katherina to the Building Fund of the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio, P.O. Box 23528, Chagrin Falls OH 44023. See full notice for details.

Katherina “Kathy” H. Kekedy (nee Harmatos) March 25, 1934 – June 30, 2020 was born in Budapest, Hungary to the late Dezso and Gizella (nee Linka) Harmatos . Loving wife of Steven for 58 years; dearest mother of Michaela Agnes, Steven (Debby) and Richard; devoted grandmother of Michael, Melissa, Daniel and Allyson; dear sister of Lawrence “Larry” (deceased), niece of Leslie and Theresa Linka (both deceased), and loving sister-in-law and cousin to several in Hungary. Katherina immigrated to the US in 1950 with her family after spending 5 years in a refugee camp in Austria following World War II.  She graduated from Torrington High School (CT) in 1954. She spoke Hungarian, German, French and English. She loved to learn and discuss a wide range of topics throughout her life. The family, along with her future husband, moved to Cleveland where she worked in her uncle’s store, the International Import House on Buckeye Road in Cleveland, and for Dalton, a well-known cashmere maker. Steven and Katherina were married in 1962.  She was the office manager and bookkeeper in their first company, Rubber Preforming Inc., and later, was president of S.K. Industries. Katherina served as treasurer, newsletter writer and in various volunteer positions with the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio from 1979-2015. She played an important role in establishing a Building Fund to expand and improve its current facilities. She also contributed her special Hungarian pastries to the summer picnics and special events.  Katherina loved gardening, especially working with roses and orchids, as well as embroidery and crocheting. She also delighted in spending time with her family.  Her home was often the destination of holiday celebrations and weekend visits. She always provided an abundance of delicious Hungarian food and fun.

Friends received at the ST. JOHN FUNERAL HOME, 16381 CHILLICOTHE RD. (RT 306) , CHAGRIN FALLS, 44023 (2.5 MILES NORTH OF RT. 422), MONDAY, JULY 6 FROM 5 – 8 P.M. where social distancing and occupancy limits will be observed.  Mass of Christian Burial, Tuesday, July 7 at St. Helen Church, 12060 Kinsman Rd. (RT 87), Newbury at 11 A.M. (PLEASE MEET AT CHURCH). If you are unable to attend mass, here is the link for the website for the streaming of the funeral mass :

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVyB3TBINOXwTyvGreTZBPg

Burial Shadyside Cemetery, Auburn Twp.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Katherina to the Building Fund of the Hungarian Cultural Center of Northeastern Ohio, PO Box 23528, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023.