Kathleen Ferko Smedley

Finney Funeral Homes

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | September 02, 2016

Surrounded by her loving family, Kathleen “Kathy” Smedley passed to her heavenly home on Sept 1, 2016, after a courageous four-year battle with multiple myeloma. She was born on December 27, 1950, in McKeesport to John L. and the late Cecilia S. Ferko.

A 1968 graduate of South Allegheny High School, she received a B.S. in Education from the University of California in 1972.  Kathy graduated with a Master’s Degree as a Reading Specialist in 1976 from Bowie State University, Maryland.  She taught in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in the South Allegheny School District and recently retired from the McKeesport School District with 34 years of service.  Kathy loved her many teaching positions in McKeesport (Grades K -12) as a Classroom Teacher, Title I Teacher, Reading Coach and Facilitator.

Kathy touched the lives of thousands of students and many stayed in contact with her.  She looked forward to Halloween to lead the student parade and entertain the crowd wearing a drum major uniform with baton in hand!  She organized many holiday gift drives for school children, personally collected monies, bought clothing and toys, and delivered them to the families’ homes.  A friendly, outgoing person, she brought a smile to everyone she met, including many doctors, nurses and caregivers during her treatments.

Kathy was a member of Queen of the Rosary Church in Glassport, where she volunteered as a lector, CCD Teacher and CCD Director. She also volunteered at St. Joseph Regional School in Port Vue as a Cheerleading Coach, and judge for Forensic and Debate Teams. Additionally, she had great devotion to the Infant of Prague, donated the statue and dressed the Infant for Holy Days for over 40 years.

She is the beloved wife of Terry L. Smedley for 43 years and loving mother to her daughters: Heather (Robert) Hunt, Holly Smedley, and Heidi (Corey) Lemmon. Her three granddaughters made her heart smile, Alyssa, Kaylee and Natalie Hunt.  She is survived by her father John L. Ferko, brothers Jack Ferko and Joseph (Bonny) Ferko, sister, Denice Ferko (Keith) Adams and sisters-in-law, Terri Ferko and Darla Smedley Kunkle, father-in-law Lester Smedley, mother-in-law, Doris Mento and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Cecilia S. Ferko, brother, Richard Ferko and sister-in-law, Mary C. Ferko.

Friends will be received on Monday, September 5, 2016 from 7-9 PM and Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at E. C. Finney Funeral Home, 235 Monongahela Ave., Glassport,  PA.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to http://www.gofundme.com/SmedleyScholarship for scholarships for McKeesport senior students majoring in education.

There will be a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of the Rosary, 530 Michigan Avenue, Glassport, at 10 AM on Wednesday, September 7, with Rev. Ernest J. Strelinski, uncle of the deceased and Rev. Miroslaus A. Wojcicki.  Entombment will be at Good Shepherd Cemetery’s mausoleum chapel in Monroeville.

Originally published September 02, 2016.

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