Obituary of Kathryn J. Cresswell

Kathryn J. Cresswell 96, of Gibsonia, formerly of Swissvale and New Castle, passed away peacefully June 6, 2022. Kathryn was born August 11, 1925 and was a graduate of New Castle High School and keypunch school in Pittsburgh. Upon graduation, she was employed at Shenango Pottery in New Castle as a keypunch operator for payroll. In 1942, she met Bob Cresswell who served in WWII. She wrote him letters every day and twice on Sundays while they were apart. After the war, she and Bob were married and moved to Swissvale. Kathryn was an active member of the Swissvale Presbyterian Church. At the church, she served as Deacon and was a member of both the Rei Class and Women's Association. She was also the coordinator and cook for church dinners and Rotary lunches held at the church. The Rei class used Kathryn's recipe for hard tack candy to make and sell as a church fundraiser around the holidays. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels for over 30 years. Kathryn was a very kind and caring person who would help others in any way she could. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was a lot of fun. Kathryn was loved by all who knew her and was known for her tollhouse cookies, sticky buns, and ham loaf dinners. Kathryn is survived by daughter Kathy Wentz and son Bob (Beth) Cresswell; grandchildren Katie (Scott) Cram, David (Erin) Morganti, and Courtney (DJ) Hofmann; and great-grandchildren Nick and Braden Cram, Claire and Ben Morganti, and Moses, Jones, and Henry Hofmann. Kathryn was preceded in death by Bob, her beloved husband of 68 years, her parents William and Catherine Johns, and her siblings Bill Johns, Mary Miller Coleman, and Bob Johns. Friends and relatives will be received from 1-3 p.m. Friday, June 10, 2022 at Thomas L. Nied Funeral Home, 7441Washington Street, Swissvale. A memorial service to honor Kathryn's life will follow at 3:00 p.m. If so desired, donations may be made in Kathryn's name to Hope Hospice, 3356 Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh 15237 or to the American Heart Association. www.niedfuneralhome.com