Kathleen P. (Traina) Serwin, 71, of East Stroudsburg, passed away Wednesday morning, February 17 at home following complications from a recent stroke. She was married to Andrew J. Serwin, the dynamic duo having celebrated their golden 50th anniversary in 2020.
Born on August 13, 1949 (Strong Leo energy!) in Elizabeth, New Jersey, she was the daughter of Roy and Marita Traina, and step-daughter of James Lawlor.
Kathy was a legendary figure in her large, blended family: She jumped off motorcycles to avoid parental detection; got arrested on the way TO Woodstock; sheltered Iranian refugees during the fall of the Shah; saved her children from alligators in Lake Okeechobee (FL); conquered the wild frontier of the Pocono Mountains; and once had a stroke on vacation yet never altered her plans. That’s hardcore!
Kathy was a devoted spouse, caring mother, loving sister, and dependable friend to everyone who had the honor and pleasure of knowing her. Through the years, she “adopted” scores of stray friends and significant others that her kids brought home, donated her time and support to her kids’ varied interests, from art shows to football games to field trips, and worked full time jobs while caring for her husband and children, filling their home with love.
Kathy worked as an insurance adjustor and later as a medical admin until she suffered her first stroke in 1999, which forced her into early retirement. Kathy loved celebrating Christmas, collecting ceramic unicorns, relaxing around her pool, Motown girl groups, Pepsi soda, trashy celebrity gossip magazines, pinching her grandchildren, and later in life, fruity frozen rum drinks and having snacks at the bar with hubby.
In addition to her husband, Kathy is survived by her son Andrew Serwin, daughter-in-law Beth and granddaughter Violet of Mahwah, NJ; her daughter Nicole, son-in-law Robert Craven and grandchildren Ryan and Phoebe of Roaring Brook Twp., PA; her siblings, brother Roy Traina and wife Denise; sister Eileen Montemuro and husband Michael; sister Marita Perrin and husband Ray; brother Tommy Traina and wife Karen; brother Patrick Traina and wife Suzanne; sister Norine Marando and husband Tony; and her step-siblings, brother James Lawlor and wife Alice; brother Robert Lawlor and wife Linda; sister Eileen Lawlor; brother Michael Lawlor and wife, Amy; and brother-in-law Nivardo Martinez; along with dozens of nieces and nephews, all of whom were her favorites. She was preceded in death by her parents, step-father, and step-sister, Donna Martinez.
A special thank you to Merlyn Stevenson from Visiting Angels for all her help and support in caring for our family.
A private memorial celebration will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances may be made to one of the following causes Kathy supported: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the American Diabetes Association.
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