Catherine A. Hartwig

Catherine A. Hartwig, (nee Gwozdz) age 77, passed away peacefully at home with all of her family present, after nearly a decade long battle with Ovarian Cancer. She was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Blanche (Geboski) Gwozdz. A native of Cheshire MA., she graduated from St Lukes School of Nursing in Pittsfield, MA in 1963. Shortly thereafter she married her spouse of 55 years Ronald "Skip" Hartwig, Lt. USAF. During their military career she lived in 8 different states as well as Okinawa and Thailand. They had 4 children: Ronald A. "Tony" Hartwig (Athena) of Oxford NC; Jeffrey Hartwig, Lee Center NY; Stephen Hartwig (Christina) from Pembroke Bermuda; and Cara Majka (Christopher) who live in Scipio, NY. Kathy has seven grandchildren. She is registered and licensed to practice nursing in both Illinois and New York. After a brief career in a hospital in Paxton Illinois, she chose instead to focus on her growing family. Baking became one of her hobbies and when convinced by a friend to enter some of her masterpieces in the Colorado State Fair of 1979, she came away with a handful of blue ribbons. She enjoyed plants and flower gardens and usually had more colorful flower beds that her husband could maintain. Despite moving 13 times in their 23 year military career, she and the children enjoyed the Air Force lifestyle. However, after retirement, living in the same abode for the past 32 years was a welcome change, but the growing family still required numerous European, Caribbean, and wide ranging US vacations to keep in touch with children and grandchildren. Besides her immediate family, she leaves behind five siblings: Sisters Elaine Atlanta, GA, Theresa Tucson, AZ and Maryanne Niles, NY, and Brothers Robert Port Orchard, WA and Joseph Lenox, MA. If you wish to offer a donation in Kathys memory, she and the family would prefer a gift to the SPCA of Tompkins County In lieu of flowers. Family and friends will gather to share memories at the MacPherson Funeral Home, Newark Valley on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 4-6 pm. A Prayer Service will follow with Rev. Mitchell Zygadlo and Deacon Mike Donovan of Blessed Trinity Parish/St. John the Evangelist Church officiating. Memories and Condolences may also be written in Kathy's Guestbook at macphersonfh.com Visitation MacPherson Funeral Home Wednesday, December 26, 2018 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 5 Whig St Newark Valley, NY 13811 Directions Prayer Service Wednesday, December 26, 2018 6:00 PM