Katherine Tabatowski, 66, died early in the morning on Sunday, April 16, 2017, with her devoted husband by her side.

She was born in Detroit on August 3, 1950, to the late Henry Pierzchala and Helen (Majewski) Pierzchala. She met Thomas L. Tabatowski at midnight mass in 1974, and they were married on July 3, 1976. Together they had seven children: Mary (Chad Leverenz), Thomas (Thomas Way), Stephen, Michael, Abby, Samuel, and Thea Rose; and four grandchildren: Scout Leverenz-Shick, Lily Leverenz-Shick, Augustin Thomas Leverenz, and Ida Katherine Leverenz. In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Kathy is survived by her siblings Henry Pierzchala, Christine Pierzchala, Theresa Pierzchala, and Eric (Cameron Bourquein) Pierzchala, niece Rebecca Pierzchala, great-niece Evelyn Pinho, and many other nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins, friends, and colleagues.

Kathy graduated from Dominican High School in Detroit in 1968. She graduated from the Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1982 and completed a residency in pathology at St. John Hospital in Detroit. She was a fellow in cytopathology at Duke University from 1986 to 1988, and assistant professor of pathology at Indiana University from 1988 to 1992. She entered private practice in 1992 in Zanesville, where she continued to work until her retirement in 2016.

To the amazement of those who knew her, Kathy managed to find time for a number of diverse intellectual and cultural interests. Beginning in 2000, she would spend several weeks each summer studying theology at the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a master’s degree in 2008. Kathy especially loved to sing, especially with groups; at various times she sang with the Choral Society of Durham (North Carolina), the choirs at St. Pius X (Indianapolis) and St. Nicholas (Zanesville), and the Zanesville Civic Chorus. She shared with her family a passion for eating, especially Korean dishes and sushi.

Kathy was particularly committed to supporting organizations that promote pacifism and serve those who live in poverty or are otherwise oppressed and marginalized. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to benefit two of her favorite organizations, the Catholic Peace Fellowship and the Casa Juan Diego (Houston Catholic Worker). A fundraising site can be found at https://www.youcaring.com/tabatowski

The family will receive visitors at Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home on Tuesday, April 18, from 2pm-8pm. The Rev. Mr. B. N. “Pete” Peterson will officiate a funeral liturgy on Wednesday, April 19 at 11am at the funeral home, with a reception to follow.

To share memories and condolences with Kathy’s family please click on the guestbook link on the left of this page.

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