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Catherine Bernadette Mavrinac

Passed February 24, 2018

Text:

Obituary For Catherine Bernadette Mavrinac

February 24, 2018

MAVRINAC, CATHERINE BERNADETTE MARY (FITZGERALD)

On February 24, 2018, surrounded by her family who were praying the Rosary, Catherine (Cathy) Bernadette Mary (Fitzgerald) Mavrinac left her earthly home for her Heavenly reward. Cathy died after valiantly fighting the complications of pneumonia. Cathy was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Harry Charles Mavrinac (September 30, 2010), and is survived by her five children: Maureen A. of California; Joan M. of Pittsburgh; Jim G. (fiancée Serey Ho) of California; Michael (Nathalie Charpentier) and grandson Alexei of Brussels, Belgium and Paris, France; and Paul A. of Pittsburgh, with whom she resided. Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Edward Fitzgerald, Sr. and Ann M. (McCann) Fitzgerald of Lawrenceville. She and her eight brothers and sisters (all of whom predeceased her) brought much laughter, music and love of God to the world. She is predeceased by her brothers, Robert E., Jr., William J. (the late Jean), James F., John M., Robert J., Sr. (Kathleen), and Edward Paul; and by her sisters, Ellamae Baier (the late Denis) and Ann Therese Fitzgerald. Cathy is also survived by sisters-in-law Kathleen (Desmond) Fitzgerald of Pittsburgh; Marilyn (Sweeney) Mavrinac of Wisconsin; and Shirley (Phillips) Marvin of Virginia. She had 36 nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, who loved their "Aunt Cathy" very much. Cathy grew up as a member of St. Kieran Parish in Lawrenceville. Later, the family moved from Butler Street to the Morningside area of Pittsburgh, where they were members of St. Raphael Parish and where Cathy was married to Harry in 1952. Cathy was a 61 year member of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Pleasant Hills. Cathy was a devout Roman Catholic, who prayed the Rosary regularly and who gave the gift of strong faith to her children. In addition, Cathy consistently and quietly evangelized her faith by her actions and words to all those whom she met throughout her lifetime. Cathy was a retired teacher from the South Fayette School District. Cathy will continue to touch countless lives as the many students who she taught throughout the years continue to share "Mrs. Mavrinac's" signature maxims: "Character is who you are when no one is watching"; "I am a good person today; tomorrow I will be even better"; and "Cool is knowledge." In addition to her maxims, Cathy will be remembered for the many poems that she taught her students to appreciate and for the love of reading that she instilled in them. Cathy was a dedicated wife and mother and a devoted educator. Cathy's main goal each and every day was to do good and be kind to others on earth and have eternal life in Heaven. We were so blessed to have had Cathy in our lives and we are heartbroken that she is gone. We find our true comfort in knowing that she is living her eternal life in Heaven. May God hold you, Cathy, in the palm of His hand. The family would like to extend a special acknowledgment to Dr. Terence J. Philbin, Dr. Patrick Strollo, Jr., Dr. Laura Watkins, Dr. Joshua Culver, Peggy Stoeff, CRNP, and Betsy Ellenberger, CRNP, who extended superior medical care and respect to Cathy. We are forever grateful. Friends and family will be received at the JOHN F. SLATER FUNERAL HOME, INC., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Rd., Brentwood 15227, Thursday, March 1 from 7 - 9 p.m. and Friday, March 2 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral prayers will be held Saturday morning, March 3 at 8:45 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Paul Cathedral, 108 North Dithridge Street, Oakland section of Pittsburgh, at 10:00 a.m., March 3. A celebration of Cathy's life will be held at the University Club in Oakland immediately following interment in Calvary Cemetery. PLEASE OMIT FLOWERS. CATHY WOULD APPRECIATE MASSES FOR HER SOUL.

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Condolences

  • December 11, 2019

    What a sweet and full of life and happiness picture of Cathy and Harry dancing. You guys will always be in my thoughts at random times serving up blissful memories. Hope it helps to know someone is thinking of you all and all she meant to you and how much she and your Dad helped me.

  • December 11, 2019

    My deepest sympathy and condolences to the Mavrinac family. Continuing prayers for comfort and strength during this time.

  • December 11, 2019

    Mrs. Mavrinak played such an important role in the person that I have become. There were times in 8th grade that I couldâ??ve been lost, but Mrs. Mavrinak never gave up on me or lowered her expectations of me. 30 years later, I find myself using her quotes to guide my students to become something that they have not yet realized. Thank you Mrs. Mavrinak for pushing me and believing in me. Your influence will continue to shape the lives of so many students.

  • December 11, 2019

    Mrs. Mavrinak will awalys hold a special place in my heart. She always had faith in me. She was always kind, and made me feel like I was important in the world. My heart hurts, knowing someone so genuinely kind and caring has been taken from this world.

  • December 11, 2019

    Our deepest sympathy to all of the Mavrinac family. We will remember Catherine as a caring individual who loved her family. We were blessed to meet her at our polka dances at Evanstown. What a wonderful tribute to a fine lady!

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Joan, Maureen and Family, What a lovely tribute to your mother. Having had the opportunity to know the two of you while attending St. Eâ??s, it was quite obvious that she, along with your father instilled the best virtues in their children. Saying good bye to a loved one is never easy. Youâ??re in my prayers.

  • December 11, 2019

    My deepest sympathy and prayers for comfort and faith to all who grieve her passing. She was a wonderful woman and teacher who shared and spread kindness to everyone she met. Her motto â??Character is who you are when no one is watchingâ?? is still shared to students and staff as part of her legacy. Mrs. Catherine Mavrinac made the world a better place and Iâ??m so thankful to have been her student, have her teach my own children, and later work with her at SF. She has touched my heart and life and will always be remembered.

  • December 11, 2019

    So sorry for your loss but she will always be alive in your memories.

  • December 11, 2019

    Cathy was a fixture at South Fayette for many years. She was a beloved teacher and a friend. We carpooled together during my first few years at South Fayette, and she made the travel time from Baldwin fly by with her stories! May God continue to bless her family.

  • December 11, 2019

    I didn't know Mrs. Cathy. I stumbled across this obituary because a friend of mine posted it with a status that read RIP. As I began reading about the amazing life of a person I've never met, I gained more hope and faith than I've ever had as a young Christian man! My sincerest condolences to the loss of your most beautiful Cathy. May the spirit of Comfort wipe your tears away and remind you that to be absent from the body means to be present with the Lord. My faith was strengthened tonight! Thank you so much Mrs. Cathy! Enjoy Heaven. I hope to see you there one day!

  • December 11, 2019

    Dear Mavrinac Family, My heartfelt sympathy to all of you at this sad time. What a beautiful tribute for a special lady. You and your mother are in my prayers.

  • December 11, 2019

    Mrs. Mavriac was such a special teacher and I remember her fondly. I am sorry to hear of her passing. I wish I had known her when I became an adult and had an opportunity to speak with her about faith. She sounded like an amazing woman who I know I would have been fond of as a friend. God bless her family. May she rest peacefully <3

  • December 11, 2019

    Mrs. Mavrinac was a special teacher. I had Mrs. Mavrinac for reading in 7th and 8th grade. She was one of a kind. She was my first introduction to A Christmas Carol and to this day I still remember and relate that book to her. This is still my favorite Christmas story. She will be missed and I am thankful to have met her. My prayers and condolences to her family.

  • December 11, 2019

    I'm very sorry for your loss. Mrs. Marvinac was my English teacher at SF. I still remember her statements that she taught us as students.