Catherine (Kathy) Cecere

Catherine (Kathy) Marie Cecere, (born McKenzie) 77, of Bethel Park, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2025. She was born September 8, 1947 in Monessen. After graduating from Mon Valley Catholic High School in 1965, she earned a Licensed Practical Nursing degree at Georgetown University and practiced her profession in several Pittsburgh hospitals. She was preceded in death by her husband George and parents Catherine (born Finsinger) and James McKenzie.

Kathy is survived by her beloved sons Jonathan (Jennifer) Cecere, and Nicholas (Devin) Cecere and grandsons Garrett and Logan,. She is also survived by brothers James (Patti), John (Marta), Joseph (Cathy), Thomas Damian, and Regius (Bobbie), as well as sisters Lois, Mary (Tom) and Regina (John), and many loving nieces and nephews.

Kathy always showed deep appreciation, even excitement, in the beauties of the natural world. She took joy in her flower gardens for many years in the family backyard in Brentwood, often exclaiming in pleasure--“So pretty”--over gifts of plants from family and friends. It was always a special trip when she could get to Phipps Conservatory.

In later life she took deep joy in the company of her grandsons, including their BMX racing and other sports. She felt especially fortunate, as her illnesses progressed, to live

not only to see them enter kindergarten, but through to fourth grade. As elsewhere in her life, Kathy made great friendships with the medical professionals that supported her, even as she protected her independence and lived with dignity on her own terms. She felt she always found her way to the best possible medical professionals and appreciated their friendships as they cared for her needs.    

If desired, the family suggests donations to Lustgarten Foundation, a major funder of pancreatic cancer research, in memory of Catherine.

Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service on Friday, April 25, 2025, at 12 noon at the Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233. Arrangements entrusted to R. D. Copeland. Ltd., Coraopolis, PA.