Obituary of Catherine Schwanda

Catherine (Kay) Schwanda 86 Kay Schwanda of Minotola made her peaceful transition on the evening of August 19th at the Bishop McCarthy Residence, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Kay was a life long resident of Minotola, except for a brief time that she lived in Haddon Heights with her husband Frank. Kay worked in local clothing factories prior to opening Kay's Luncheonette on Landis Ave in Vineland, NJ. Kay was not only the owner and operator she was also the cook and waitress. She made and served many hoagies to the locals for which she became well known for. Kay's next adventure lead her to St Augustine Preparatory School in Richland where she was head cook for many years. She was loved by the staff and students alike. Many of the students thought of her as their mother away from home, as she would slip an extra homemade peanut butter cookie on their plate. Kay's favorite pastime was cooking and baking. She would often show up at the door with a prepared dinner or a plate of cookies. Kay loved to share he many recipes with family and friends. Kay was devoted to her family. Not being able to have any children of her own Kay was like a mother to her many nieces and nephews and in return of that motherly love she was given a mothers by them to show their love for her. Kay continued to carry her motherly love on to her great nieces and nephews only as Kay could. Kay loved every thing to do with family. She looked forward every year to the Maltese family reunion. This was a time to share not only good homemade food but great family stories. Kay will be greatly missed by all who loved her and all those whose lives she touched. She is survived by her step daughter Barbara Duncan and husband Dave of Bellmar, NJ. Two granddaughters Barbara Ann (Duncan) &husband Mike Defeo of Barrington, NJ, Dawn (Duncan) & husband Joe Murphy of Leavenworth KS. And four great grandchildren Heather and Michael DeFeo, Joseph and Ashley Murphy And many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her parents Augusta and Alfred Grasso, brothers Frank and John Grasso and sister Mary (Grasso) Latorre. Husband Frank Schwanda. Donations can be made to St Augustine's Preparatory School, 611 Cedar Ave Richland, NJ 08350 ATT Development. (In Memory of Catherine Schwanda)