Catherine Mokay Bielawa

Bielawa, Catherine Mokay MAPLEWOOD, N.Y. Catherine Mokay Bielawa, 82, a lifelong resident of Maplewood, died on Friday, January 6, 2012, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, surrounded by her loving family. Cath-erine, the daughter of the late Demetrius and Mary Rogouski Mokay, was born, at home, in Maplewood on November 22, 1929. She was educated at the Maplewood School and Watervliet High School and worked for Montgomery Ward and Company in Menands until her marriage in 1948 to her much loved husband, Frank Bielawa who survives. Catherine spent a number of years raising her family and tending to her home before going to work for the former Behr Manning Company in Watervliet which later became the Nashua Corporation. In 1975, following 22 years of service, Catherine retired from Nashua to care for her ailing mother, a job she lovingly did until her mother's passing in 1993. She was a member of St. Basil's Russian Orthodox Church in Maplewood where she enjoyed membership in the Sisterhood of the church. The Sisterhood provided Catherine with the opportunity to actively serve her church and community by volunteering her time to such needs as visiting those members of the parish who were homebound and working as a waitress at various events held in St. Basil's Parish Center. Catherine was an avid gardener and enjoyed cooking and entertaining. A dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, Catherine loved her home and the times spent with family and friends. Her passing leaves a large void and she will be missed by all who knew her and loved her. In addition to her husband, Catherine is survived by her sons, Stephen Bielawa of Maplewood and Frank Bielawa of Apple Valley, Calif.; daughter and son-in-law, Katherine Bielawa Jurczyk and Edward Jurczyk of Milford, Conn.; cherished grandchildren, James, Breanne and Kirstyn Bielawa, Brian, Kyle and Matthew Jurczyk; brother, John Mokay of Delhi, N.Y.; sisters, Ann Mokey of Maplewood and Mary Bushallow of Kensington, Md., as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Alex, Andrew, Peter and William Mokay. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at the Rubin Dialysis Center in Troy and Samaritan Hospital Critical Care Unit for their devoted care and support. A funeral service for Catherine will be held on Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 11 a.m., in the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet followed by entombment in the Community Mausoleum at St. Agnes Cemetery in Menands. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also visit with the family on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home. A Parastas service will be held in the funeral home on Monday at 6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests that contributions be sent to The American Diabetes Association Pine West Plaza Building 2, Suite 204 Washington Avenue Ext., Albany, New York 12205 or Rubin Dialysis Center, 1850 Peoples Ave, Troy, NY 12180 in memory of Catherine Bielawa. For directions and to send a condolence message please visit, parkerbrosmemorial.com