Gertrude Kathryn Heaton
Gertrude Kathryn “Kathy” Heaton, 80, of Houston, passed away suddenly at 5:17 a.m. Thursday, November 14, 2019, in Presbyterian Senior Care, Washington, following a brief illness. She was born January 24, 1939, on the family farm in Washington Township, Fayette County, a daughter of the late Luke Matthew and Mary Florence Cordero McDonough.
Kathy was a graduate of the Commercial Institute Business College and BellMar High School and was a member of the “BellMar Girls.” She lived in the Canonsburg/ Houston area for the past 53 years and was a member of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church.
She had been a real estate agent and was employed as a nursing aide at the former Western Center, working the midnight shift for 27 years prior to her retirement.
Kathy was a dedicated wife and mother who had been a Parent-Teacher Association president and Cub Scout troop leader. She had an amazing green thumb and loved planting flowers and traveling, especially on cruises. An avid football fan, she truly enjoyed watching the Steelers and her grandson, Jamison, play football.
On October 18, 1958, she married her beloved husband, Everett R. Heaton, who survives after 61 years of marriage. They met when both were ballroom dancing instructors and started dancing as a team in nightclubs, known professionally as the “Dancing Sweethearts”.
Also left behind to cherish her memory are her dear children, Barry L. Misko of Houston, Edward D. Heaton of Strabane and Mary Kathryn Matelski and husband John A. of Lawrenceville, Ga.; her two beloved grandsons, Jamison A. and Keenan E. Matelski; her brother, Mark J. McDonough (Deborah Fortunato) of Washington; her sister, Ruth Mary Kobal and husband John of Belle Vernon; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her brothers, David P., Michael P. and Thomas M. McDonough; and her half-brothers, Fritz, Paul, Daniel, Norbert and Robert McDonough; and a half-sister, Margaret Randall.
Friends and family are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, November 17, in Salandra Funeral and Cremation Services, Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner / supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where departing prayers will be recited at 9:30 a.m. Monday, November 18. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick Church, 317 West Pike Street, Canonsburg. Interment will be in Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Peters Township. To view or extend condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.