Kathleen Elaine Walczak

Kathleen Elaine (Smith) Walczak passed away unexpectedly at home on March 29th, 2025. Kathy was born in Erie on September 30th, 1960, and will be dearly missed by her family and friends. Kathy dedicated her life to helping people and retired in 2015 after 33 years protecting vulnerable children, first as a social worker and later as a foster care coordinator with the Erie County Office of Children and Youth. She personally assisted with and attended numerous adoptions of children in her care.

Kathy graduated from Harborcreek High School in 1978 and from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1982. She was a member of the Retirement Board of the ECOCY. Kathy was an avid adventurer and went on many cross-country road trips with her husband Gene. She loved animals, particularly cats and her dog Queso. She was gregarious, had an eye for detail, and loved her family and friends. She saved the lives of many children in her career, and impacted so many more lives with her kindness and care.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Patrick John Smith and Sally Mae Dinges Smith of Harborcreek, her beloved younger brother Patrick John Smith II of Erie, her stepson Joshua Fox of Erie, her in-laws Chris and Pete Walczak and Ron Smialek, and numerous pets.

She is survived by her husband, Eugene Walczak (North East); her stepdaughter Liana Walczak (Cleveland, OH); her siblings Robert Steward and his wife Kay (North East) and Michael Smith and his wife Susan (Chester, VT); her in-laws: Debbie Totman and husband Rick, Lee Kampsen, Robbie Smialek, Doug Walczak, and Connie Tunney; her nieces and nephews: Will Smith and wife Allie, Jessie Smith, Jade Totman and wife Melanie and their daughters Cora and Cece, Zack Kampsen, Kyle Kampsen, and Sean Tunney; an extended loving family; many dear friends (especially Caroline, Lisa, Becky, Mary Jo, Hubba, Cindy, Cathy, Tim and Bill), and her dog, Queso.

The family will hold a memorial to celebrate her life on May 18th in Erie, please contact Gene for details and to RSVP. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her honor to the Anna Shelter or to the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Burton Quinn Scott Cremation & Funeral Services, Inc. Downtown, 602 W, 10th St. Erie.

Send condolences at www.BurtonQuinnScott.com.