Catherine A. Gresky

CATHERINE A. GRESKY (nee Ledinsky) , age 83, beloved wife of the late Edward J. Gresky; loving mother of Edward (Judy), Scott (Paula), Jill Powers (Patrick) and Susan Cites (Jeff); dearest grandmother of David (Beth), Brian (Sarah), Christopher (Valerie), Alexander, Devin, Catherine, Marianne and Therese; dear great-grandmother of Blake, Beau, Annabelle, Harrison, Maverick and Beckett; Sister of Celia Erlanson (Wallace, deceased) and the late Rosemary Steiger (Chuck), John and Frank (Linda); Sister-in- law of Daniel Gresky (deceased) (Arlene); dear friend of many.

Catherine was born on April 9, 1933 to John and Hattie (Holachek) Ledinsky. She attended Cleveland’s John Adams High School and graduated from Kent State University with Honors. She loved her Alma Mater “Golden Flash”.   She had a wonderful lifelong passion for teaching and, after graduation, began her career with the Cleveland School District. Catherine soon met the love of her life, Edward J. Gresky, a decorated United States Marine Korean War Veteran, Purple Heart recipient. They married, moved to Parma and had four wonderful children together. Unfortunately, life took a tragic turn on February 12, 1974 when Edward was killed in the Line of Duty as a Cleveland Fire Fighter. He fell through the floor of a burning Warehouse building that he rushed into to search for people to save. Edward was a hero in death, but the real hero in life was Catherine. She went back to teaching while being the mother of four young children that needed her courage, strength, guidance, fortitude, love and wisdom. She often shared quotes like “a dying dog mother said to her pups, in all of life’s trouble, keep your tail up” or “good, better, best, never let it rest, until the good is better and the better is the best”. Catherine’s motherly love and support enabled all four of her children to fulfill her dream of a college education: Edward (Ashland), Scott (Columbia), Jill (Akron) and Susan (Purdue). Catherine’s legacy will now live on through her eight grandchildren, David, Brian, Christopher, Alexander, Devin, Catherine, Marianne and Therese, and her six great-grandchildren, Blake, Beau, Annabelle, Harrison, Maverick and Beckett. Catherine’s love, strength and wisdom will be missed, but never forgotten. We will love you always… your Loving Family.

Mass of Christian ?Burial at Holy Family Church, 7367 York Road, Parma, Friday, August 12 at 10 a.m.  Interment Holy Cross Cemetery.  Friends received at RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD. (AT SNOW RD.), THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 FROM 3-8 P.M.