Kathleen Ann O’Rourke Masolotte, age 62, of Erie passed away Friday, May 5, 2017 at UPMC Hamot following an extended illness with her family at her side. She was born February 26, 1955 in Erie the daughter of the late John “Jack” and Margaret “Peg” Smith O’Rourke.
Kathleen was a graduate of St. Benedict Academy (class of ’73) and Villa Maria College, where she participated in the Erie Diocese Cadet program.
She was an Erie diocesan school teacher for 28 years having taught at St. Luke and St. Patrick grade schools. Kathleen was an active member of St. Luke Catholic church and loved crafting. Because of her involvement in the community and her church, in 1987 Kathleen was made a Lady of St. Patrick, an honor both her parents received. For the past 17 years Kathleen had battled health problems, in particular kidney failure. She had been a juvenile diabetic since age nine. In 2002, she was the gracious recipient of a double organ transplant, and was herself an organ donor upon her passing.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 36 years, Mark A. Masolotte; a daughter Erin Masolotte and her fiancé, Joel Foessett, Jr. and a son, Ryan Masolotte and his wife, Katie. She is the grandmother of her precious Tessa Margaret Masolotte, and the sister of Michael O’Rourke, all of Erie. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Kathleen lived her life for her family.
Friends are invited to call at the John J. Quinn Funeral Home, West 9th & Liberty St. on Wednesday from 2-5 & 7-9 PM (Rosary prayer at 8:00 PM) and are invited to attend Prayer Services there Thursday at 9:30 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM in St. Luke Catholic Church, 421 E 38th Street, Erie, PA 16504. Burial will be in Mary Queen of Peace Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Luke Education Fund, 425 E.38th St., Erie, PA 16504 or to the Northwestern PA Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation online at jdrf.org.