Catherine “Kate” (Firek) Hoffer, 102, formerly of Leechburg, passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022, in South Bend, Indiana.  She was born on November 3, 1919 to Joseph and Mary (Marhefka) Firek in East Vandergrift, the fifth of eight living children. On November 20, 1945 she married Stephen Hoffer of Leechburg. They had two children, Alice and Michael. Kate lived in Leechburg until 2014, when she moved to South Bend, Indiana.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Steve in 1969; her sisters, Elsie (Jake) Barlak and Irene (Jesse) Cignetti; brothers, George (Mary) Firek, Andy (Ann Joan) Firek, Frank (Lucy) Firek, Michael (Emily) Firek, and Eddie Firek.  She was also predeceased by her mother-in-law, Mary Hoffer; a dozen brothers- and sisters-in-law; and a special friend, Louis Cruikshank.

She is survived by her daughter, Alice (John) Bentley of South Bend, IN; a son, Michael (Sharon Blankner) Hoffer of La Veta, CO; a granddaughter, Lilith Bentley of Minneapolis, MN; two sisters-in-law, Margie Hoffer Shannon and Carole Hoffer Yesensky; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

When she was thirteen, Kate’s mother died, and she took on the responsibility of keeping house for the family and the care of her younger siblings, leaving school to do so.  After marriage, she became a full-time wife and mother until Steve died when she was 50. At that time, she returned to school and earned her GED, then trained as a Licensed Practical Nurse, earning her license in 1971.  She then worked at Harmarville Rehabilitation Center until her retirement in 1984.

Her special interests included cooking, baking, gardening, reading, solving crosswords, and Jeopardy! She volunteered at Allegheny Valley Hospital.  She was a long-time member of St. Martha’s and Christ the King Parish in Leechburg, where she was a reader, Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the nutroll baking team.  One of her favorite memories was of volunteers rolling out nutroll pastry, with the “rolling pins going ‘clickety-clack’ and the people’s mouths going ‘yackety-yack’.”  Catherine also enjoyed get-togethers with family and friends, often providing her popular homemade apple pie.

After moving to South Bend, Catherine found a new group of friends and activities at Southfield Village, where she discovered the joys of Wii-Bowling. She especially enjoyed the care and kindness she received from both staff and fellow residents.

Friends will be welcomed by her family on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 from 10-10:30 a.m. at Christ The King Parish in Gilpin Township followed by Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. James H. Loew, O.S.B. as celebrant.  Interment will be held at St. Catherine Cemetery in Gilpin Township.

Memorial contributions can be made to Christ the King Parish, 125 Park Road, Leechburg, PA 15656; the Leechburg Area Museum and Historical Society,118 First St., Leechburg, PA 15656; or Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN 46614.  Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051.