Catherine E. Jankiewicz 1928-2026

Catherine — known affectionately as “Kate” to her loved ones — was born Aug. 21, 1928, in New Castle, Pa., to Domenico and Clementina Fusco DeSimone. She graduated from New Castle High School in 1946. In New Castle, she was selected as May queen and served as president of the Women’s Union of Sodality for the Diocese of Pittsburgh.

A lifelong Catholic, Catherine was a member of St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Borromeo Church since 1974 and was a member of its garden club, ladies’ guild, and bowling league.

Catherine worked as a clerk and bookkeeper for Reynolds & Summers Clothing, later working as a bookkeeper for Philip Weiner, CPA, until she was swept off her feet by the love of her life, Stanley Jankiewicz. Catherine and Stanley married Oct. 26, 1968, and Stanley took her from New Castle to the “big city” of Youngstown. Together, they shared nearly 58 years of unconditional devotion. Her wedding day was the best day of her life until the day she gave birth to her pride and joy — her daughter, Renee, in 1970.

Her greatest joys in life were spending time with her family, cooking, baking and going to Mountaineer and Hollywood casinos (where she was always lucky). She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Catherine will be deeply missed and always remembered by all whose lives she touched — especially her devoted husband, Stan; her daughter, Renee (Del) Parrish of Naples, Florida; her grandchildren, Aleksandra and Del II; and many nieces and nephews who meant the world to her.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Charles, Anthony and Lawrence; and her sister, Clementina “Clara,” whom she missed dearly. They are undoubtedly reuniting at His heavenly table, joyfully making up for the years spent apart.

The Jankiewicz family extends heartfelt gratitude to Catherine’s doctors, Drs. Jeffrey Kempe, Erdal Sarac and Prakash Roy. They would also like to extend special thanks to Hometown Pharmacy and Home Instead, particularly Catherine’s companion, Diana Stabile.

The Jankiewicz family has entrusted Catherine’s care to the Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home in Boardman.

Calling hours will be 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Kubina-Yuhasz Funeral Home. A Mass celebrating her life will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Parish-St. Charles Borromeo Church.

Entombment will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Youngstown.

Visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and leave condolences for the family.

(special notice)