Kathleen M Stevenson

Kathie was born into the family of Ann and Michael Platek on March 3, 1951 as they lived on Lincoln Avenue, Heidelberg PA.  Her warmest thoughts were of those who lived on her street.  Kathie was very engaging with all who were lucky to know her.  As her world expanded, so many would become life-long friends.  This is her legacy; those with whom she would travel and dine.

Kathie’s life has been a brilliant tapestry of devotion to faith, family and friends, a disciplined work ethic, and a brilliant joy for living.  Kathie would always be fair and honest with all whom she would meet.  I don’t believe anyone would deny that she embodied the term “grace”.

Her Catholic faith created a foundation for her strength and love.  Her early teachings concluded in 1969 when she was graduated from Canevin High school.  There was not one Holy season that she favored, yet when Christmas Eve came around, all were invited to her home for “Wigilia”; that was a gastronomical fiesta. Birthday parties were celebrated with her famous chicken puffs and flank steak.  Kathie continually celebrated life with her friends and family.

Her career path was not exactly linear.  As a young teen, Kathie started waitressing at the K&K Restaurant in Carnegie.  It was a rocky start, but she persisted.  After high school, she continued her education in accounting but soon her interest turned to retail sales at Joseph Hornes, then Blocks.  It was when Jean Fulton, Legal Administrator for the law firm of Thorp, Reed and Armstrong, discovered Kathie that a very rewarding and accomplished career began.  Soon she was working within the Human Resources Department of Thorp Reed and loving the opportunity.  She had two careers at the firm.  In 1986, when asked to set up a unique staffing firm for the local legal community, she separated from Thorp Reed to establish Legal Management Services.  Kathie was truly in her element and successfully operated this firm until its closing in 2014.

There was flexibility associated with her position within the firm and certain well-deserved advantages were taken. Kathie and daughter Ann would scout for seasonal travel spots; many of the travels were definitely mother/daughter: Maui, San Francisco, San Diego, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale; then as the snow fell, ski trips.

I believe that Kathie’s most special place was the family cottage at Van Buren Bay on Lake Erie.  This is where you could turn back the calendar to the 1950’s; she would walk the beach with a cup of coffee in the morning, read a book in a beach chair during the afternoon, and stroll along the shoreline as the sun set.

Kathie’s family and devoted friends will miss her: her husband Dick, daughter Ann(Kurt) Humbertson, her three loving grandchildren Emma, Ella and Ethan, her sister Carol(Ron) Goldberg, niece Lorraine(Wes) Adams, nephew Ross(Lisa) Mascellino, many cousins and

her “forever friends” Cathy and Patti.

Due to COVID19  a celebration of Kathie's life will be held later in the year

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