Kathryn Winifred Smith

Kathryn Winifred (McLain) Smith peacefully passed away on Friday morning surrounded by her husband of 73 years, Donald, and her 12 children. She was born in Olyphant, PA to Mary (Fadden) and Thomas McLain, Sr.  

Don and “Katie’s” love story began in 1949 and grew with each year that passed. While raising twelve children was sometimes challenging, she would muster all of her proud Irish energy to take care of all of them. Her children were her life. She was a fierce defender of her kids if they had been wronged, but heaven help them if they were the wrong doers. In addition to having her own children, she held a special place in her heart for the Conway and Lisiak children and parents. She also was a foster mother for a few children and foreign exchange students who she and Don kept in touch with for the past few years. Katie was also active in her community for several years. In 1961, she held the positon of President of the Christian Mothers of St. John Vianney Church, formerly Corpus Christi Church, Montdale, and Scott Township Democratic Committee Chairwoman. She also chaired the Mothers’ March on Polio in Scott Township District 1.  

She was an avid fan of the Lakeland Chiefs football team and band and always found time to attend the games. Katie also loved to host parties, and for the past several years, she and Don hosted a huge 4th of July party at their home. All friends and family were welcome at this big bash. She also enjoyed dancing, going to yard sales, bingo, baking and traveling to places like California with her cousins and to Wisconsin, Georgia and Texas to visit her boys. After retirement, Katie and Don spent three months on Pine Island, Florida every year for 28 years. While there, she and Don made some lasting friendships, but she always seemed to come home to Montdale just in time to celebrate her birthday and be with her family.  

Katie is survived by her lifetime love, Don, six sons: Thomas and wife, Barbara, Georgia, Donald Jr. and wife, Cathy and Eric “Gene” and wife, Marlene, Greenfield Twp; Edward and wife, Michele, Oak Creek, WI, James and wife, Jennifer, Weatherford, TX, and William and wife Kerri, Sturges; six daughters all from Scott Twp.: Alice Uzialko and husband Bob, Evelyn Burke and husband, Neil, Eleanor Baldinucci and husband, Ralph, Annelle Sakosky and husband, Robert, Sandy Smith and husband, Tim and Kathleen Troiani and husband, Phil, Archbald. Kathryn has 31 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren. She is also has several McLain and Yarosh nieces and nephews that she held very close to her heart.  

Katie was preceded in death by two brothers, Thomas and Eugene McLain, a sister, Mary Yarosh and three grandchildren: Evan Andrew Uzialko, Jason Smith and Nicholas Michovitch.  

The family would like to extend a thank-you to the visiting nurses from the Hospice of the Sacred Heart for their care of Katie.  

Mass will be held on Tuesday at 10AM from Holy Cross Parish at St. Patrick’s Church, 200 Delaware Avenue, Olyphant with Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor, officiating. Burial will be private.  Friends are asked to go directly to the church on Tuesday morning.

Friends may call on Monday from 5 to 8PM at the Hudak-O’Shea Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Garfield Avenue, Olyphant, PA, 18447.  

Contributions may be made in her memory to: St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place (Memorials Processing), Memphis, TN, 38105-9959.  

For directions or online condolences, please visit www.hudak-osheafuneralhome.com.