Catherine M. Navitsky

Catherine “Kitty” Navitsky (Shrader) 90 of Drexel Hill  & formerly of Shenandoah passed away peacefully surrounded by her family Friday, October 23.  Kitty was born February 16, 1930. The youngest of 10, she was the daughter of John & Catherine Schrader & last of her immediate family.  Or as she would say “I’m the last of the Mohicans!”.  Siblings Margaret, Roy, Robert, John & Harold died in Kitty’s youth.  Her sisters Myrtle, Lina, Nellie & Mae were our cherished aunts & our mom’s life long friends. 

Music filled Kitty’s life.  She was the eternal Bobby Soxer and Frank Sinatra was often heard crooning from wherever she happened to be.  

Kitty was the beloved wife of “Our Daddy” Walter D. Navitsky. They met at a Valentine’s Dance in 1948 & were married for 39 years until his death in 1988.  She was his “Penelope”, to her he was “Scarmooch”.  Hardly a day passed in the 32 years since he’s been gone that she didn’t mention his name.  Stardust was their song and  whenever it played, it  was family protocol to stop what we were doing, look up at the sky & acknowledge “Our Daddy”.

Kitty was a proud graduate of the J.W. Cooper High School Class of 1948 & a member of the Glee Club, Dramatics Club & Drill Team. She never had a taste for sports, be it on tv or one of her kids or grandkids games.  However, she would hold a sleeping baby for hours, had endless enthusiasm to read to a toddler or play a board game with a child.  Miss America was Kitty’s  Super Bowl & we were all polled the week leading up to the big event on who we had favored to win.  Kitty was a comedian’s dream. A simple knock-knock joke would elicit a genuine belly laugh. She loved mischief & shenanigans and was sentimental & patriotic.

Our mom loved to travel and was the best sidekick, having equal enthusiasm for a cross country road trip or a just a day at the beach.  Kitty visited every one of the 48 contiguous states & had the refrigerator magnets as proof.  She danced on stage with Chuck Berry, gave Harry Connick Jr. a candy bar & kissed Bill Murray on her 75th birthday on a train to New York.

Our mom was a private person & never wanted anyone to know her business.  However, she loved when any of us got good publicity in the local newspaper & loved the pageantry of a parade.  With that in mind we believe it was kismet that the Mayor of her hometown of Shenandoah was doubling as the funeral home driver the day she died.  Only fitting that the Mayor escorted her on her final 90 mile journey home.

Kitty is survived by children Kathleen & Carson Long, Holly & Dennis Tempest, Wally Navitsky, Melissa Navitsky & Mimi McCarthy. She was Mom Mom to Jesse & Michelle Chiscavage, Tony & Ashley Usalis, Amy & Greg Vagelatos, Hilary & Will O’Keefe, Nathan Navitsky, Curtis Navitsky & Timmy Tempest.   Mom Mom Sugar to Catherine, Eliza, Darla & John McCarthy. Her Great Grands are Lily Chiscavage, Ty, Boone & Emma Usalis.  She is also survived by cousins, nieces & nephews.  Her 1st & eldest Grandson Albert Chiscavage sadly passed away in 2017.  

Graveside services will take place on Thursday, October 29th in the Odd Fellows Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights and will be officiated by Pastor Jack Murray. 

Oravitz Home for Funerals Inc, Shenandoah are entrusted with the arrangements.

Due to Covid-19, all social distancing guidelines and mask requirements will be followed.

To offer condolences, please visit: www.oravitzhomeforfunerals.com

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