Catherine (Burry) Proietto

Catherine “Kay” Burry Proietto, age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 20, 2022, after a brief illness. Born in Bridgeport, PA to the late Ignatius and Catherine (Ewanick) Burry on May 17, 1932, Kay grew up in a multi-ethnic neighborhood surrounded by hardworking parents and neighbors who were new to the United States but managed to thrive in their newfound country.

Kay was the loving wife of LTC Raymond T. Proietto (Ret. Deceased). Ray was the love of her life and they spent many happy years together traveling to the numerous places the Army stationed them. Her adaptability served her well as she followed Ray’s career path to many places, raising a family without her own family or friends nearby. This included Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Germany, Kansas and finally Pennsylvania. Kay was the dedicated, caring and generous mother to four children, Cathy (Nazario) Proietto of Villamagna, Italy; Raymond A. (Nancy) of Hummelstown, PA; Janet Proietto of Boca Raton, Florida, and Patty (Dave) Stroble of Hummelstown, PA. Our mother gave selflessly to all of her children and grandchildren and through her words and actions taught us resiliency, kindness and courage. In her younger years, she loved making patchwork quilts, ceramics, pine cone wreaths and knitting blankets. In her later years, she became quite an animal lover and delighted in feeding the birds and watching the squirrels and bunnies from her window. She was also always up for a good road trip, map in tow, and was the fun-loving co-pilot. Kay was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Palmyra, PA and a former member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Camp Hill, PA.

In addition, Kay is survived by 6 grandchildren (G-Mom as they liked to call her): Colin Proietto, David (Elena) Proietto; Robert (Ashley) Proietto, Trey Stroble, Stephanie (Patrick) Cleary and Andrea Stroble. Kay doted on all of her grandchildren and loved them unconditionally. They loved her with all of their hearts too. She was always available to babysit them, attend their sporting events and drive them to the pool and summer sports practices. She often said there was no greater joy in life than to be a grandparent and there was no better grandmother than her. Kay is also the proud great-grandmother of five young children: Gloria, Maggie, Lisa, Anthony and Kallan, who will learn of their great-grandmother when they are told of her wonderful life and character. She was the loving, guiding rock of our family. Kay was preceded in death by her 5 siblings, John Burry, Mary Gadzicki, Steve Burry, Sophia Murray, and Mike Burry whom she loved very much. She leaves behind 19 nieces and nephews as well as numerous grand-nieces and nephews.

A mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 245 W. Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. with the Mass starting at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kay’s honor to Saints Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church, Hurst Street at Union Avenue, P.O. Box 126, Bridgeport, PA 19405. This church was founded by Kay’s parents in the early 1900s, after immigrating to the United States from the Ukraine. Our family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Harmony at Hershey for their dedication and care of our Mom. It is greatly appreciated.

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