Catherine "Kay" Selak

St. Clair Shores - Kay Selak, 103, passed away Friday, December 28, 2018 at the home of one her sons under their care and the assistance of hospice. She is survived by her sons Frank (Sandy) and Mike, 2 granddaughters, 3 grandsons, 2 great grandsons, and several nephews. This coal miner's daughter was born December 22, 1915 in the Latrobe, Pennsylvania area to George and Frances Tandarich. The fourth child and last of 5 sisters, 3 brothers and predeceased by nieces and nephews. After finishing trade school made her way with an older sister to Pittsburgh and worked in domestic service during the Great Depression. The two sisters followed a third younger sister to Detroit and continued their vocation just before World War II. With excellent references Kay was employed by one of the Fisher (Body) brothers families residing in the Detroit Boston-Edison neighborhood. Enjoying dancing met her future husband Frank M. Selak (1915-2008) at one of the Detroit ballrooms of the day and were married from 1942 until 1971. Both working on the WW II military arsenal effort, Kay worked on various tasks in the E. State Fair & Hoover industrial area meticulously packing parachutes, checking shell tolerances, etc. They were able to have a home built on Hickory in which Kay resided in from 1944 until December 7, 2016, over 72 years with the help of family, refusing to move until absolutely necessary at almost 101. They were one of the founding families for St. Raymond Parish. Kay was the homemaker with sons born in 1945 and 1952. Kept busy and physically fit with maintaining the home, gardening and preparing most meals, including many for her grandchildren. Kay for about 15+ years would travel by train or bus to PA mostly with her sons in tow in the summer heat to thoroughly clean her Mom's home and visit with family for a week. Asked about key to longevity at least from a nutrition standpoint she ate most foods with an ample quantity of fruits and vegetables. Life was not a picnic most days, was filled with a lot of hard work and some enjoyment though some would say not enough. The transition from her home to physical rehabilitation, assisted living and dementia care for about a year was mediocre at best. Thinking she could still get up unassisted resulted in a broken nose, C1 neck vertebra and lastly at 102 a broken hip requiring an implant for the leg of a 70 year old per the doctors. Following stays at the facilities and better late than not, spent the final 7 months at home able to stand up and no more incidences. Adjusted well to being at home, was able to watch what she wanted including the Steelers unless she misbehaved and then it was the Lions. Per her wishes no visitation or services were planned. Condolences, memories and response information are requested to be sent to www.wasikfuneralhome.com or mail to Wasik Funeral Home, Inc., 11470 Thirteen Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48093.

Catherine "Kay" Selak

December 22, 1915 - December 28, 2018