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Kathleen Walawender Obituary
AUBURN - Kathleen J. (Drake) Walawender, 73 of Auburn passed away peacefully, Saturday evening, November 30, 2024, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Syracuse, after a brief illness.
She was a life resident of Auburn, the daughter of the late Raymond and Betty (Beyer) Drake. Kathy, as she was affectionately known by her family and friends, was a Mount Carmel High School graduate, Class of 1969. She received her associate's degree from SUNY Broome College in dental hygiene. Kathy was employed as a dental hygienist for her entire career and worked for Dr. Thomas Clary, Dr. Nicholas DeSocio and Dr. Bradley Davidson. She was a parishioner of St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church and a member of the Sennett Seniors and the Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians. Kathy enjoyed reading, swimming, needlepoint, traveling and working on crossword puzzles. She cherished above everything, the time she spent with her family.
She is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Donald Walawender; two sons, Timothy (Theresa) Walawender, Dr. Jeffrey (Dr. Sanyu) Walawender; four grandsons, Dylan (Macy), Dustin, Lucas, and Bodhi Walawender; six siblings, Diane (Kenneth) Kudla, Donna (Stanley) Richardson, Raymond (Paula) Drake, Paul (Sally) Drake, Mary (Mark) Fishlock, Robert (Jill) Drake; seven brothers and sisters-in-law, Denise (Steve) Spafford, Dorothy (Dac) Phan, Donna (Kari) Wilmot, Dennis (Pam) Walawender, Daniel (Colleen) Walawender, Douglas (Bethany) Walawender, Paul Williams, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, Kathy was also predeceased by a sister, Patricia Drake; brother-in-law, David (Denise) Walawender; sisters-in-law, Diane Mills and Debbie Williams; and great-nephew, Jack Podkaminer.
Calling hours are this Wednesday, December 4, from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. Kathleen's funeral mass will be held Thursday, December 5, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church. Contributions in memory of Kathy can be made to St. Peter and Paul Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Walawender
Sponsored by Pettigrass Funeral Home.
Sharon & Mike Maher
December 9, 2024
Don & family, We were so sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. I'm sure you have so many fond memories that will help you through this sad time. Take care.
Kim F Pettigrass
December 8, 2024
So sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. She was my dental hygienist when she worked for Dr. Clary. She was an absolute sweetheart, so kind, so friendly. I missed her after she left there. My thoughts and prayers are w/the family.
Linda harig
December 7, 2024
Donald just heard of your beautiful wife´s passing. So sorry for your loss. Prays blessings to you and your family. Linda Harig
Neil
December 5, 2024
Wally I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers .
Debbie Pinckney
December 5, 2024
Diane and family. May God give all of you strength and comfort during this sad time. God bless today and always, Paul and Debbie Pinckey
Linda Tersegno
December 4, 2024
Thinking of you Don at this very sad time....Michael & Linda Tersegno
Karen Mahoney
December 4, 2024
I am so sad to see that Kathy has passed, she was always so kind and spoke to me every time we saw each other!! We grew up on the same street.........God Bless!!!
Terri Losani
December 4, 2024
Donnie, Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. God bless you all during this difficult time. Louie and Terri Losani
Irene Erra Pidlypchak
December 3, 2024
Donnie & family,
We are terribly sorry about the loss of Kathy. Our sincerest sympathy to you
Mike & Irene Pidlypchak
Gary Burghdurf
December 3, 2024
My most deepest, heartfelt sympathy to Kathy´s loving husband, Donald and family
Kathy was such a loving, caring, wonderful human being and will be missed by all
God bless and sending love and hugs your way
Gary B
Nancy Yura Murinka
December 3, 2024
Kathy, I will always cherish the memories we made working in the school newspaper! And I believe I gave you your first pierogy!
I loved how you asked every Port Byron kid at the dentist, whether they knew me. Of course they did, it was a small school.
You were hands down the most positive person I knew. I am sure that you are entertaining folks in heaven!
I will miss you terribly.
Anthony Gucciardi
December 3, 2024
Dick, Alan and family, so sorry for your loss. Sorry I cannot make it to Jen´s services.
Mary Fishlock
December 3, 2024
My sister Kathy was smart, funny, kind, generous and loved a good prank, even if she was the recipient which mostly, she wasn´t. She was the "fun" aunt to my boys; she had her waffle iron at the ready whenever we visited. I could never make waffles as good as hers because she always made it feel like a party! She had a smile that could light up any room, and had an extremely infectious laugh which she was able to cut off fast enough to leave me the only one in trouble for laughing-many times at church.
I will miss her terribly and deeply. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved her, especially Wally, Tim and Theresa, Jeff and Sanyu and her grandsons who she dearly loved.
I am her loving and heartbroken sister, Mary
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I did not die.
-Author Mary Elizabeth Frye
Helen Pisciotti
December 3, 2024
Our condolences to the Walawender family. So sorry for your loss.
Tony and Helen Pisciotti
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