Jan 7, 2008 2 min read

Katheryn M. Sileskie McGurk Laschen, “Grandma Kate”, 80 years, of California, Pennsylvania, died Sunday, January 6, 2008.

“Kate” was born… Katheryn M. Sileskie McGurk Laschen, “Grandma Kate”, 80 years, of California, Pennsylvania, died Sunday, January 6, 2008.

“Kate” was born on Sunday, October 9, 1927, in Coal Center, Pennsylvania, daughter of Alexander Sileskie and Henrietta Schoener Sileskie.

“Kate” was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Edward J. “Ted” McGurk on July 11, 1962, her second husband, Ralph C. “Pete” Laschen on June 24, 1997, brothers and sister, Charles Sileskie, Alexander Sileskie and Margaret “Peg” Shupink.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Cynthia and Rick Hajdu of Daisytown, Pa., Ella and David Dillon of Coal Center, Pa., Kathy and Frank Gudel of Coal Center, Pa., and Ralph C. Laschen Jr. of California, Pa.; grandchildren: Shane Hajdu, Jamie and her husband Brant Gahr, Travis Alton and his wife Michelle, David Dillon and his fiancee Tara Roule, Ted Dillon and his fiancee LaRae Tarracido, Brandon Laschen and Brent Laschen. She also leaves behind four sisters: Bernadine Spencer of Trenton, Michigan, Betty Underwood of Stow, Ohio, Henrietta Spencer of Trenton, Michigan, and Dorothy Vizza of Monessen, Pa.; and great-grandchildren: Traelynn Alton and Madeline Gahr.

Friends will be received in the MARISCOTTI FUNERAL HOME INC., Anthony N. Mariscotti, Funeral Director and Supervisor, 323 Fourth Street, California, Pa., on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, January 9, 2008, until 1 p.m. Services will be held in the Funeral Home at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Norman C. Hunt officiating.

Interment will follow in Mount Calvary Cemetery.