Catherine R. " Kay " Houser , 83, Girardville, passed away peacefully Monday evening at her home with her family by her side.

Born in Ashland she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Jennie ( Towey ) Kennedy. She had been employed in the custodial department of North Schuylkill School District until she retired at age 75.

She was a member of the former St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Girardville, now St. Charles Borromeo Parish.

She was a social member of the Sons of Italy, Girardville and the AFSCME union.

Kay was preceded in death by her husband Paul Houser in 2005, her brother James Kennedy and two grandsons; Lucas and Jacob Opuda.

Kay is survived by her son Paul Houser, Girardville, her three daughters; Barbara Lynch, Gordon, Kathleen wife of Mark Chuplis, Butler Twp. and Virginia wife of Patrick McMonegal, Girardville, her brother Tom and his wife Smilkja Kennedy, Europe, her sister Ruth Ann and husband John Joe Opuda, Girardville, her sister-in-law Nancy Kennedy, Girardville, her 8 grandchildren; Kurt and Paul Lynch,Tara Stanton, Kenna Chuplis-Bradfield, Chelsea Chuplis, Zachary Houser, Katie Domalakes and Jennifer Opuda and by 10 great-grandchildren; Kaitlyn, Cody and Seth Stanton, Alycia Catizone, Adera Opuda, J D Domalakes and Melvin, Alexis, Taylor and Justice Walls, nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, Girardville, Worship Center of St. Charles Borromeo Parish, with Rev. Edmund Brennan as the celebrant.

Friends may call at the Thomas M. Sullivan Funeral Home, Girardville, on Friday evening from 6 until 8 p.m.and from 9:30 until 10:30 on Saturday morning. Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Fountain Springs.

In leiu of flowers the family prefers contributions, in Kay's name, to either: Family Home Medical, 50 S. Oak Street, Mount Carmel, PA 17851 or Girardville Ambulance Service, 101 W. Main Street, Girardville, PA 17935