After a two-year long battle with the devastating after effects of radiation treatment for Stage 0 cancer, Catherine K. Reilly passed away at home on Saturday, April 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.
Catherine graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1974 and graduated Cum Laude in 1986 from SUNY Fredonia with Bachelor of Science degree in computer & information sciences.
She had been employed by Cliffstar as a lab technician, Bells Supermarket as a cashier, and as a programmer for Plantrol Systems and Al Tech. Later on, she operated a small grape farm with her husband, Tom for many years. She and Tom also owned Cat's Attic Antiques, where she operated a shop for seven years and was very active on eBay for 15 years.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, holiday dinners and working on projects with her husband, Tom, in their large old house. She also enjoyed working at her antique business and especially restoring antique linens and laces.
A lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, she enjoyed going to the games with her family, especially during the 1990s, when they attended several games each season. She was also involved with Cub Scouts for several years with her two older boys, both as a Den Mother and as the Cub Master. Earlier on, she enjoyed attending concerts and seeing local bands and arguing the merits of different types of music with her husband. She also convinced him to dance. They took ballroom dancing and attended the first "World Largest Disco" back in 1979.
She is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Thomas W. Reilly III, whom she married on May 19, 1979; three dear sons, Brandon T. Reilly (Katie Ingals), Alexander B. Reilly and Christopher M. Reilly (Jannelle Becker); and the light of her life, her cherished grandson, Patrick Reilly, whom she tried to spend as much time as she possibly could with and was always in her thoughts and heart. She especially enjoyed the "concerts on the porch" and the trips to the Beach Grille for open mic during the summer of 2022. She was happy to have what time she could with him. Catherine was predeceased by her parents, Bernard and Stella Karalus; her brother, Mark Karalus; paternal grandparents, Bernard and Harriet Karalus; and her maternal grandparents, Alexander and Viola Wawrowski.
Relatives and friends may call at the McGraw-Kowal Funeral Home, 736 Central Avenue in Dunkirk on Thursday, April 18 from 4:00-7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, April 19 at 10:00 AM in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Toys for Tots.
