Obituaries 04-19-2018

Kathleen “Kathy” Finklestein

September 20, 1955 – April 10, 2018

Kathleen F. ‘Kathy’ Finklestein Kathy passed away on April 10, in the peaceful surroundings of her home in the presence of her loving and caring family. Kathy had been surviving cancer for the past four years, experiencing a sudden and overwhelming advance of the disease. She was 62 years old.

Born and raised in Chelsea, the daughter of Chester P. and Carole M. (Lombardozzi) Pawlak she was raised in Chelsea growing up in the family home on Broadway with her parents, her younger sister, Christine, her loving grandparents, Frederick and Stella K. (Uminski) Lombardozzi and her uncle, “big brother,” Richard Lombardozzi.

She resided in Chelsea for most of her life. Kathy attended St. Stanislaus Parochial School, Shurtleff Jr. High School and graduated from Chelsea High School, Class of 1973. She continued her education at Fisher Jr. College attaining her Associate’s Degree in business administration.

In 1979 she married Neal J. Finklestein, sharing the past 39 years with love and devotion. During the 1980’s she established Chelsea Secretarial Services providing professional and support services to large corporations and countless small businesses. She was a founding member and active contributor to the New England Business Services Association. A longtime member of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, she served as a Board Member, a past Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee for many years. Kathy served as chair of the Chamber’s “Brighter Holidays Committee” for many years assisting with downtown Christmas decorations, breakfast and photos with Santa.

She assisted her father, Chet in operating the Chelsea Sq. Bowling Alleys, later she and her husband Neal fully managed the alleys for many years. She organized and directed countless candlepin bowling leagues in Chelsea and Malden. She was a member of the Women’s Professional Candlepin Bowling Assoc. and participated in numerous state championships. Kathy also appeared with her sister, Chris on TV’s Channel 5 Saturday doubles bowling program.

Kathy moved to Revere 20 years ago. She was a faithful communicant and parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Revere. There she served as a Eucharistic Minister and was active in various areas of parish life, assisting with the Church Crochet Club, organizing healing services and other spiritual events.

In her lifetime Kathy was a family caregiver, she supported many organizations, charities, organizing family and civic gatherings and celebrations, but she always preferred to be behind the scenes, never wanting the spotlight for herself but always there lifting and supporting others. She lived and defined the words “Wind beneath my wings.”

She was the beloved wife of 39 years to Neal J. Finklestein of Revere; loving daughter of the late Chester P. and Carol M. (Lombardozzi) Pawlak, dear sister of Christine Pawlak of Chelsea and dear sister-in-law of Paula Finklestein of Middleton, Andrea and Chuck Hill of Florida and Susan and Salim Elouche of Salem; loving niece of Frederick “Rocco” Lombardozzi and his wife, Veronica “Ronnie” of Chelmsford and the late Richard Lombardozzi, who is survived by his wife, Irene Lombardozzi of Chelsea. She is also survived by her great aunt, Laura Kwiatkowski, great uncle, Alfred Uminski, two nephews, one niece and many dear and loving cousins and numerous extended family members.

Funeral arrangements were by the Anthony Memorial – Frank A. Welsh & Sons Funeral Home, Chelsea.  Interment was at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Windows of Hope at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. C/O BIDMC 330 Brookline Ave, 9th floor, Boston MA, 02215 or Gifford Cat Shelter, 30 Undine Rd., Brighton, MA 02135.

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