Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

June 29, 1942 - January 26, 2018 Goellner, Kathleen McBride Age 75, on Friday, January 26, 2018, of Mt. Lebanon, formerly of Pleasant Hills.

Kathleen was a proud daughter of the Parkside neighborhood of Camden, New Jersey and the late Edward and Catherine (O'Laughlin) McBride. She was preceded in death by her daughter Jennifer and her sister, Maureen. Kathleen is survived by her husband of 50 years, A. Frederick, her daughter Stephanie, son Jesse (Sonja), and grandson Frederick. A deep connection to saving power of God was forged in a Catholic education spanning from grade school through her first graduate degree. She was forever grateful to the nuns at Camden Catholic for helping her find the opportunity to attend Georgian Court College (now University). At Georgian Court she obtained a BA in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics, as well as natured her talent and love for art, and was inducted into their alumnae Court of Honor. Her journey brought her to Pittsburgh where she earned a MS in Organic Chemistry and continued her graduate studies at West Virginia University where she met her husband, Fred. She began her teaching career in the birth of the Community College of Allegheny County's South Campus (which subsequently set Fred up with a 47 year career). After placing all of her energy in the formative years of her children assuring their love of learning and the arts, she obtained a MS in Industrial Hygiene from the University of Pittsburgh with the goal of protecting workers from the exposures that shortened the life of her father. Kathleen was a recognized expert in abating and managing the risks of asbestos practicing her profession as a Certified Industrial Hygienist at the Industrial Health Foundation, Mobay, Koppers, Westinghouse, and finally the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory. Kathleen made every choice to create and make easier the opportunities for her children supporting them with stern but loving guidance. She leveraged her artistic talent to transform her grief from the loss of her eldest daughter into impressive output of religious icons and artwork. Her tenacious personality and research skills were expressed in her genealogical research leading to a a well-documented understanding of her family's journey and many contributions to the genealogical community. Unfortunately, these talents had been obscured for the last few years due to the onset of dementia requiring the loving care of her husband with the assistance of gracious staff of Asbury Heights. Her labors being done, she is finally at rest with Lord. Friends will be received at the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc., 412-881-4100, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood 15227, Monday, January 29, 2018, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Funeral Prayer on Tuesday morning at 9:15. Mass of Christian Burial in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NHS Allegheny Valley School, the Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Catholic Charities, or the Free Care Fund at Asbury Heights.