Kathy Jo "KJ" (Strellec) Vargo

Kathy Jo “KJ” (Strellec) Vargo, 68, passed away peacefully at Allegheny Valley Hospital Hospice with her loved ones by her side on Thursday, October 12, 2023 after a brave and valiant five month battle with a rare form of extremely aggressive cancer.

Kathy was a resident of West Leechburg for the last 35 years.  She graduated from Highlands High School in 1973 and studied at Edinboro University, Penn State New Kensington Campus, and later graduated from ICM School of Business as a legal secretary.  She also became a Notary Public.

Kathy worked at a number of jobs through the years, including office manager at Mak Lyn, Inc. in Brackenridge and executive secretary/caseworker at Choice Childcare in Arnold.  She served as the church secretary at Graystone Presbyterian Church until 1996, and First Evangelical Lutheran Church through 2004.  Kathy also worked as a substitute secretary/instructional aide for Leechburg School District in various positions K-12 from 2005-2007.  Later she served two terms as a member on the Leechburg School Board.

Kathy was a very accomplished cook and baker who made a huge variety of ethnic Slovak and Hungarian dishes, pies, cakes, cookies, nut rolls and pastries.  She was also a devoted pet owner and animal lover who kept photos of all her dogs through the years, including Phaser, Data, Nellie, Jazz, Blue (who recently passed away), as well as her current dog, her beloved Gypsy.  She had many pictures of herself with her beloved horse Diesel (who passed away a couple years ago).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph A. and Margaret Ann “Peggy” Strellec; two brothers, Mark J. and David P. Strellec; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and in-laws, who were an integral part of her life.

She is survived by the love of her life, her husband of 35 years, Steven C. Vargo; daughters, Erin M. Vargo and Autumn P. Kress; grandson, Kevin J. Kress; sister, Judi Charlson (Dr. Murray T.); sisters-in-law, Pamela S. Strellec (wife of David), Nancy Banichar (Joseph E.); brother, John K. Strellec; aunt, Patricia A. Strellec; nephew, Joseph A. Charlson (Dr. Elissa Ortolani); nieces, Dr. Dori A. Charlson (Dr. David Kaufmann), Christina S. Strellec (Randy J. Simpson), Susan A. Strellec-Peters (Brenton M. Peters), Chelsea J. Walker (Corey Putzlocker); as well as other nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

At Kathy’s request, there will be no public viewing.  A Celebration of Life service will be announced for a later date.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Clawson Funeral & Cremation Center, 170 Main St., Leechburg, 724-842-1051.

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