Mary Catherine (Knauf) Bromley

Mary Catherine Bromley of St. Paul’s Home, formerly of Furnace Road, Greenville passed away on Friday, November 8, 2019, after a period of declining health.

Mary Catherine was born in Delaware Township to James Oliver and Mary Evelyn Addison Knauf on August 15, 1927. Upon the death of her mother, she and her brother, James, were raised by their paternal grandmother, Amelia Knauf.  She was a graduate of Fredonia-Delaware High School, class of 1945.

She married William C. Bromley on April 24, 1945, he preceded her in death on July 19, 2013.

While her husband served in World War II in occupied Japan, she worked at the local A & P grocery store, and lived at the historical Waugh house.

Catherine was an active member of Jerusalem Christian Church (formerly Jerusalem United Church of Christ).  She taught Bible School, Sunday School, a Cub Scout Den Mother, and a member of the Ladies Guild.

Catherine’s life was dedicated to her family and serving others.  She and Bill welcomed many foster children into their home.  She was always willing to lend a hand to friends and neighbors in need.  She retired in 1989 from UPMC as a home health aide, to babysit grandchildren.

She loved to garden, and can the fruits of her labor.  She always had to have chickens, and calico cats. In the house she loved to have canaries, finches, parakeets, or love birds to sing to her.  The outside birds always had a feast, as she insisted on feeding them year round.

Catherine is survived by her five children: Linda Osborne of DeSoto, Missouri, Amelia (Steve) Riley of Greenville, Pennsylvania, Bruce (Janice) Bromley of Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, Kenneth Bromley, Meadville, Pennsylvania, and Wilma White, Hadley, Pennsylvania.

She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren: Melissa Smith, Benjamin (Kim) Furey, Shannon (Ryan) Nichol, Jason (Sheila) Ratcliff, Chad (Jackie) Bromley, Trevor (Jessica) Bromley, Sam (Erica) Ratcliff, Cody (Joshua) Packard, Stephanie (Nolan) Calhoun, Adam (Kristy) Bromley, Kara White, Leah White, and Nate White, twenty-six great grandchildren, and one great, great grandchild.  Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her husband, grandparents, and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, James A. Knauf, a special aunt Grace A. Mitcheltree, and  dear cousins Gladys Cooper and Lee “Dutch” Knauf.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Jerusalem Christian Church, American Diabetes Association, or St. Paul’s Home.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, November 11, 2019 at 5:00 pm at the Robert L. Snyder Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 169 Second Street, Fredonia with Pastor John, Canon officiating.  The interment will be at the Hadley Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband of 68 years.  Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 3:00 pm to 4:45 pm.

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