MARY KATHERINE BUCZEK
September 12, 1918 - April 15, 2010

Kate Buczek, a long time resident of Erie, Pennsylvania passed away on April 15, 2010 due to complications from a blood infection. She was living in Cleveland, Ohio.

Katherine Buczek (nee Hull) demonstrated a talent for journalism many years before she attended Ohio University, as the editor of the 'Cupola Times' in the attic of her childhood home of Upper Sandusky, Ohio. The daughter of Lovell (Lolo) and Martha (Marnie) Hull, Kate collected neighborhood news and published the original newsletter for distribution to local families. She had her heart set to attend college, but at the age of 16, was held back by her parents until the tender age of 17, when she was accepted and attended Ohio University, graduating in 1939. Majoring in Journalism, Kate was the first female business agent for the OU student paper, 'The Green and White', today 'The OU Post'. She also became involved with the American Student Union and got her first exposure to political activism. She met her future husband Ted while working on the school paper. After graduation Kate reported for a local labor paper in Erie and later recruited Ted for a union organizing position. Kate and Ted worked with United Electrical, Radio and Machinist Workers of America (UE), organizing along the Mohawk River Valley and eventually married. After WWII they lived in Rochester, New York, while continuing their Union organizing. They were transferred to Erie, Pennsylvania to work on the initial campaign to organize Erie GE and settled in, making Erie their home. With Ted editing the UE Local 506 newspaper, Kate continued her activism, becoming active with the Erie NAACP, where she was secretary for forty five years and was active in the Erie Democratic Party. Working with Citizens for Better Schools, she helped to persuade the Erie School Board to establish a facility for unwed mothers in the 1960s, allowing them to continue their high school education. Today this facility is located on East 6th Street in Erie. Kate was a Director of the Erie Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) for many years. As a peace activist, Kate was a founding member of the Erie Peace and Justice organization which came into being during the Vietnam War and she participated in several peace marches during her life. She regularly attended the Erie YWCA and YMCA. Kate was an avid bridge player playing in several groups over the years. An accomplished reader, she organized a book club lasting more than 45 years. Shortly after arriving in Erie, Kate joined the Erie Unitarian Universalist Congregation and remained active for decades. As early as childhood, Kate developed an appreciation for music and was an enthusiastic jazz fan, attending many concerts country wide including several years enjoying the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in later life. Among her favorites were Louie Armstrong, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and the Grateful Dead. Kate and her husband Ted were world travelers, traveling in Russia, Cuba, China, Africa, South America and the Amazon and Canada. In addition, they were campers with several cross country trips. They spent their latter years at their summer cabin in the Allegheny Mountains where she became involved with the Seneca Nation of Indians and acquired an extensive collection of native American artifacts. Kate is survived by her son Ted and daughter Laurie, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Katherine Buczek will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Erie on Saturday, July 17th at 12:00pm. The congregation is located at 1780 New Perry Highway, Erie,

Information provided by A. Brugger & Sons Funeral Home, LLP, 845 East 38 Street.