Genevieve T. Kalaskie
Genevieve T. “Genny” Kalaskie, 86, entered God’s Kingdom Monday, January 11, 2021, after a valiant crusade against long-term health problems. Genny was born Saturday, September 1, 1934, in Braddock, and resided in McMurray for more than 60 years.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Bill; her parents, Walter and Stella Balawajder of McKeesport; her brother, Joseph Balawajder of West Mifflin; and her sister, Irene Balawajder Denne of Duquesne.
Genny is survived by her son, William “Willie” and daughter-in-law Carolyn Belton Kalaski of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughter Judy Kalaskie Kerr and son-in-law Jeffrey Kerr of Finleyville; her sister, Kathy Ingel of White Oak; sister-in-law Audrey Balawajder of West Mifflin; sister-in-law Doris Kalaskie Mikolich of Canonsburg; grandchildren Brandon Kalaskie (Amanda) of Colorado Springs, Christin Breed (Wynne) of Dallas, Texas, Tyler Kerr (Jessica) of State College and Joshua Kerr (Natalia) of Bethel Park. Genny was great-grandmother to Olivia Kalaskie and Jaxson, Neko and Santiago Kerr. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other family members and friends, all of whom contributed to her living a very full, rich and blessed life.
Genny was a 1952 graduate of McKeesport High School and a graduate of Douglas Business School. She began work at Bettis Atomic Nuclear Division – Westinghouse in 1952. In 1954, a young engineer began work at Bettis and Genny was his assigned secretary. Six months later they were engaged and six months following they were married May 21, 1955. Through their 57 years of marriage, the two enjoyed many vacations and work-related trips throughout the U.S. and abroad to several European countries, Turkey and Cuba (1955 honeymoon).
While Genny loved to travel, her main love was her family. Genny was known to her grandchildren as “Gam” and to her great-grandchildren as “Gam-Gam” and they always looked forward to raiding her purse for her supply of “Tic-Tacs” they knew she always carried. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were always her main focus, love, pride and joy. Each one of them would finish their visits, phone calls, greeting cards with her standing sign-off, “I love you a bushel and a peck” and they would all answer “A hug around the neck.”
Genny and Bill were also founding members of St. Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church, McMurray, when Mass was originally celebrated in the gymnasium of the McMurray Middle School. Through the years at St. Bens, Genny held several positions on the Women’s Guild as well as serving on many other church committees. During her last 6 years, Genny resided at Country Meadows Assisted Living in Bridgeville, where she participated in many activities and even had her own “Genny’s Garden Club’. Genny made many friends with the residents and staff of Country Meadows and loved these friends as family.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Beinhauer Family Funeral Services. Friends will be received from 3 to 4 p.m., the time of a funeral service, Saturday, January 16, at 2828 Washington Road (Rt. 19), McMurray.
A celebration of life is planned later in 2021 for family and friends who could not attend due to the COVID virus.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider donations to Country Meadows Retirement Community of the South Hills. If you are so moved, donations can be made to: Country Meadows, Building 4 Activities Director, 3570 Washington Pike, Bridgeville, PA 15017.
Add and view tributes at www.beinhauer.com.