Funeral Friday at St. Hyacinth Catholic Church

3151 Farnsworth St. Detroit.

In-State 9:30am, Mass 10am.

In lieu of flowers memorials to be made to

National Kidney Foundation 

Checks should be made payable to NKFM or National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
1169 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI  48108

American Diabetes Association

P.O. Box 11454 Alexandria, VA 22312

STANUCH, Catherine J., 73, a woman of great faith, passed on August 18 from complications of many medical conditions. Cathy, the only child of deceased parents Mary (Kramer) & Walter Stanuch, was born and raised in Detroit. The front of the family home (3602 Medbury Avenue, Detroit’s east side) contained a small corner grocery and butcher shop operated by her parents. She remained in the home until arsonists destroyed it in 1982, when she then moved to Roseville.

A graduate of Mercy College, Cathy worked at the Michigan Department of Social Services in Macomb County. After years of assisting clients find funding or programs for job training, education, child care, transportation, healthcare and living assistance, she retired in 1997.  The dedication and commitment she had for making a difference was evidenced in this note: “Dear Ms. Stanuch, This Marygrove graduation announcement is to let you know that I did make it!  I am sending you a very special thanks for all of the help and encouragement I received from you along the way (from the very first year, 1982 until now, May 1989). Thanks to you, With Love...........” “P.S. and thanks to the DSS> Case#--------(smiley face emotican) >no longer!.”

These same reactions were engendered among the many girl scouts Cathy nurtured.  She taught them life skills such as  planning, responsibility for the environment and camping in different settings.. Above all, she taught them how to have  fun outdoors. Through the Girl Scouts, Cathy formed a lasting friendship with Pat Palmer, Carrie Dawkins and Jeanette Estridge.

Cathy was described by friends as an eclectic person with  diverse and wide ranging interests. She was well read and knowledgeable about many cultures. Her love of history led her to research the genealogy of her family’s French Canadian (Livernois & King) and Polish heritages. which she shared with relatives. She was a talented sketch artist and well known for the things she collected such as dolls and ethnic cook books.

Her favorite childhood memories included  time spent at the “Dexter” Kramer family farm, especially with cousin Mary Jo, and growing up with the Bojarski family in Detroit.  Time on the farm germinated her interest in gardening  She nurtured and encouraged many young people, including her God Child,  Beth Bojarski, who has become a noted artist in her own right. In addition, Cathy financially supported many organizations including her parish Church, St. Hyacinth, and those that helped children, families, veterans and animals

Contracting polio in childhood did not slow her down but her later diabetes, kidney failure and dialysis took its toll.  She became an advocate for renal health and donated to the National Kidney Foundation and the American Diabetes Association. These are organizations she would encourage people to support in lieu of flowers.

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