Catherine I. (Irwin) Danka

Catherine I. (Irwin) Pavelek Danka, loving mother to Michael D. Pavelek II (Diane), Marlin A. Pavelek (Arlene), Machan Pavelek (Elma) and Mary Deborah “Debby” Welch (John), passed away on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Juniper Village at South Hills.

In addition to her four children, Catherine is survived by seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; three brothers and a sister, James Irwin (Judy), Charles Irwin (Cindy), Richard Irwin and Lola Williams.  She will be sorely missed by her family.

Catherine was born in 1926, the first of 14 children, to Walter G. and Florena (Rader) Irwin of Franklin, Tennessee.  She met her husband while working for the Southern Bell Telephone Company.  She was a singer for the Southern Bell Glee Club, and while performing a solo for American troops during World War II, her microphone stopped working.  Michael D. Pavelek Sr. was a Technical Sergeant in the audience and volunteered to correct the problem.  Later that night, Michael asked Catherine to marry him – it was love at first sight for both of them.  They married in 1945 and moved to Leechburg where they raised their children.

A year after Michael passed away in 1985, Catherine met John K. Danka of Gilpin Township at a Knights of Columbus dinner.  At that time, Catherine was president of the Catholic Daughters of America and John was a member of the Knights of Columbus.  They married in 1990 and lived in Gilpin Township until John’s death in 2007.

Catherine proudly worked as a baker for Kiski Area High School for 21 years before retirement.  Anyone who tasted her creations raved about her culinary skills.  She was an active member of Christ The King Parish in Gilpin Township for many years and had a deep faith in God.

Friends will be welcomed by her family on Friday, June 10, 2022 from 10 a.m. until Noon, the time of a Blessing service at Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051, with the Rev. James H. Loew, O.S.B. officiating.  Private interment following at St. Catherine Cemetery in Gilpin Township.

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