Kathleen "Kathi" Olechowski

Olechowski, Kathleen “Kathi”, age 47, July 10, 2019. Beloved wife of Steven for 19 years. Proud mother of Kristyn. Loving daughter of Margaret and the late Leonard Gudenau. Dear sister of Marie Gudenau, Dennis (Tena) and the late Stephen. She is dearly missed by many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and Steve’s family who loved her like their own. Kathi attended grade school at St. Veronica and then later became a proud graduate of Regina High School where she formed great bonds with friends, “the besties” which are all still together today. She worked as a lifeguard at the Kennedy Pool in East Detroit. Her artistic talents led to her career as a graphic designer at PrintMasters.

While in high school, Kathi and her friend Laina would go to the Horn of Plenty restaurant after volleyball practice where she met a bus boy named Steve. The two became a pair and in 1999 were married, settling in Eastpointe. Shortly thereafter, they built their first home together in Macomb Township where they welcomed Kristyn (their little miracle baby who later followed her mother’s footsteps at Regina) to the family. As a family, they loved to spend time together with family and friends, boating and vacationing anywhere it was warm with a beach. The love for water led to their move to Harrison Township to enjoy the water every day. Kathi was very artistic and added her special touch to everything. She enjoyed scrapbooking, concerts (she and her friend Helga were proud Parrot Heads) and sports, especially playing volleyball and later coaching at Lutheran North, Regina and St. Isaac Jogues.

As a young adult Kathi was diagnosed with Lupus and in March of 2016 with Breast Cancer. She was very active in the Lupus Foundation, participating in walks, creating her own fundraisers to create awareness and support. She became a board member and used her talents as a graphic designer to create the brochures for the foundation. Through everything, Kathi stayed positive through her strong catholic faith and her following of Fr. Solanus Casey.

Visitation will take place Sunday, July 14 from 2pm to 8pm and Monday from 1pm to 9pm at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 E. 15 Mile Road. Kathi will be lying in state Tuesday at 10am until the time of her Funeral Mass 10:30am at St. Isaac Jogues Catholic Church, 21100 Madison Street, St. Clair Shores. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Alliance of America or The Pink Fund.

Please support Kathi’s cause and continue to fight breast cancer at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-kathi-fight-breast-cancer