Catherine (Slaby) Coughenour

In loving memory of our mother, Catherine Coughenour, who passed away peacefully, on December 9, 2023, at the age of 99. Catherine, also affectionately known as Cass, Cassie, Katy, and Kay, is survived by her sons Mark (Rhonda), Jeffrey, Dean (Caroline), and David (Lynn); granddaughters Jordan, Dylan, Rachel, and Blair; grandsons Tyler, Tucker, and Reed; and great-granddaughter Magnolia. Also, survived by her sister Julie Egan and brother Joe Slaby, as well as a score of nieces and nephews. Sadly, son Mark passed away on December 22, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Percy, her parents Sophia and Wasyl Slaby, sister Anna, brothers John, Frank, and Peter, and special friend Jim Lubon. A resident of Sheraden for over 70 years, Catherine was born and raised in the West End of Pittsburgh. A child of immigrant parents, Mom was proud of being a first generation American, while embracing her Ukrainian heritage. As a child, she loved the simple joys of hopscotch, jump rope, roller skating, and horror movies at the West End cinema. Also, she took special pride in being the only girl chosen to play mushball and kickball with her brothers and the other neighborhood boys. At 16, Mom went to work as a server at Stouffer’s restaurant in Pittsburgh to help support her widowed mother and younger sister. There she met her future husband and the love of her life, our Dad, Percy. Soon, however, they were separated by the horror of World War II. This event led to one of Mom’s greatest adventures as a ‘Rosie the Riveter’, one of the legion of strong, spirited, patriotic women who were the backbone of the industrial war effort in America. After Dad shipped out to fight in China, Mom joined the fray becoming a machine operator producing tank munitions to support our soldiers around the world. After the war, the next stage of Catherine’s life was one she embraced with love:being a wife and mother. Mom was a kind, caring, and generous woman who always put the needs of her family before her own. A great homemaker, skilled baker, outstanding cook, and homework tutor, we were a very fortunate family.

The hostess of many memorable holiday feasts, Easter was Mom’s time to shine. She was renowned for her paska bread, holubtsi, and the very best pyrohi. A devout Catholic, devoted to the Virgin Mother and a life-long parishioner of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Church, she embodied the spirit of love, empathy, honesty, and forgiveness.

Special thanks to Pat McGowan of William F. Conroy Funeral Home and Angela Pinke of Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home for their kindness and humanity during this difficult time. Finally, to everyone at Heritage Valley Senior Living (formerly The Willows) and Commonwealth Hospice for the care, comfort, and love they showed Mom. We are deeply and forever grateful. Funeral service and burial are private. Arrangements by the William F. Conroy Funeral Home, Inc.,Burial and Cremation Services, Sheraden 412-331-5192.

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