Kathleen Frances Matuszak

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she graduated from Mount Mary College with a BS in Occupational Therapy. She was the lead occupational therapist for the Jefferson County school system for 14 years. Kathy was very active in the Junior Miss Program. As Wisconsin’s first Junior Miss, and fourth runner-up to America’s Junior Miss, Kathy acted as judge and Mistress of Ceremony for a number of Wisconsin and Alabama local pageants. Because of her love for nature and the outdoors, in 1991 she opened the first Wild Birds Unlimited store in Hoover and enjoyed a thriving business. In her free time she was a gifted quilter and needle-pointer, she loved camping, playing tennis, raising violets, and going for long walks on the beach.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Dennis of 58 years, two sisters, Geraldine Noonan, and Sister Virginia Honish, both of Milwaukee; by her children, Amy (James) Wheless of Petaluma, CA, Daniel (Olivia) Matuszak, and Kathryn (Clay) Wheeler of Birmingham AL. and by her twelve grandchildren; Joshua, Avery, Luke, and Hannah Frances Wheless, Connor, Anna Frances, and Daniel Wheeler, Zachery, McKenzie, Abby, Maggie, and Ben Matuszak.

A Mass of Remembrance will be held at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 7340 Cahaba Valley road Tuesday, May 24, 2022 at 11:00am. The visitation for Kathleen will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM.

Kathleen will be laid to rest in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Alabama.

Contributions in Kathleen's memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association, 225 North Michigan Ave, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601 US, www.alz.org or to a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.southernheritagefunerals.com for the Matuszak family.