Katherine Scaia

Katherine Scaia (Gawreluk), wife of Henry Scaia, mother of Pamela, Rebecca, Andrea, and Philip, died on Sunday October 31, 2020 at age 94, after two years of deteriorating health and cognition due to COPD. She was able to stay in her home due to the excellent cooperative care of her children, North Memorial Hospice, and Dignified Choice Home Care staff. So, even during Covid, she was able to enjoy visits from her grandchildren, dear friends, and family.

Kay was the 3rd child born on the family farm outside Baudette MN in 1926 to a big Ukrainian family. She was proud to be the valedictorian of 33 graduates at her high school. At St. Cloud Teachers College, she met her future husband, then taught at small country schools in E. Grand Forks and Cloquet. She shared that she had had a few handsome beaus but chose to marry Henry Scaia of Chisholm, Mn in 1950, whom she said was her most "persuasive" suitor. She moved with him to teach in Newberry, Mi, where they started their family, then followed him in his career to Escanaba, Brainerd, and Robbinsdale School District.

She was an intelligent, private, frugal, polite woman who was an active example for her 4 children of progressive political thinking, community volunteerism, and church participation, but she always said that her main goal in life was to be a mother. She enjoyed her 8 grandchildren and spent many hours reading aloud to them and playing Spite&Malice. Kay was an active reader, and enjoyed world travel with Henry and dear friends. She was a good cook and will be remembered for her delicious pies and Italian and Ukrainian dishes.

As her hearing and health deteriorated, Mom was sad to retire from organizations and groups that she had participated faithfully in for decades: Dinner at Your Door, Altar Guild, League of Women Voters, Epiphany book club and Bible Study, Renewal Happy Hour Group, XYZ group, Schoolmasters’ Wives, Pre-School screening and reading tutor.

Kay is preceded in death by husband, Henry, of 65 years, 6 of her siblings, and beloved daughter, Andrea. She is survived by 3 children and their partners, 9 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many Gawreluk relatives. She has been cremated. Due to Covid, a small service was held at Gearty-Delmore Funeral Chapel with burial of ashes at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Epilepsy Foundation of MN, League of Women Voters, or Church of Epiphany.