Kathryn (Gawlowski) Raczkowski

Kathryn (Kasia) Raczkowski, 95, of Troy, passed away peacefully at home and entered the arms of our Lord on Saturday, January 17, 2026, surrounded by her loving children and family.

Born on February 17, 1930, in Kielczawa, Poland, she was the daughter of the late Anna and Michael Gawlowski, and the beloved wife for 38 years of the late Stanley Raczkowski, who predeceased her in 1988.

As a young woman, Kathryn, along with her two brothers, two sisters, mother, and grandmother, worked on the family farm in Poland while her father labored in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. The family endured the many challenges and hardships of World War II and communist rule. At age 20, Kathryn married Stanley, and together they had seven wonderful children, though sadly, two passed away in early childhood.

After nearly 20 years of separation from her father, they reunited in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, before moving to Troy in the spring of 1962. Kathryn and her family built a new life in Troy. She worked at several places, including Marshall Ray’s, Troy Courthouse, Albany Felt Company and the New York State Capital before retiring in 1992.

Kathryn was a devoted and respected parishioner of Holy Trinity and St. Joseph’s Church, and she was an active member of the Holy Rosary Society. She rarely missed Sunday Mass, and not a day went by  that she didn’t say the Rosary, read the Bible, or pray a Novena. Her deep faith and trust in God never wavered and was her pathway to a happy and fulfilling life. She always stressed the importance of family and ensured that her faith in God was instilled in her children.

Kathryn found joy in every part of life, especially her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She not only raised her children, but she also helped raise her grandchildren and enjoyed spending many pleasant days watching her great grandchildren play. She cherished time with her family and friends, reminiscing about the past, telling stories, and having a good laugh. She loved singing traditional Polish and Ukrainian songs, visiting with her children and siblings, and took considerable pride tending to her garden. She always seemed happy, and even when something was bothering her, she carried herself with warmth and grace. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, mother, sister, Babcia and friend.

Survivors include her devoted children: Joseph and his wife Randee of North Greenbush; Mary and her husband George of New Smyrna, Florida; Casmir and his wife Beata of Troy; Annie and her husband Chester of Cohoes; and Michael of Troy. She is also survived by her sister Olga Harasymiak; sisters-in-law Rosalia Raczkowski and Anna Gawlowski; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

Kathryn was predeceased by her parents, Anna and Michael Gawlowski; her husband, Stanley; her children, Stanislawa and Bronislaw; her grandson Daniel; her brothers, Stefan and Michael; her sister, Maria Lewandowski; and her brothers-in-law, Walter Lewandowski and Roman Harasymiak.

The family would like to acknowledge all acts of kindness extended to them and special acknowledgment of the extraordinary care received at Samaritan Hospital, the compassion and support from the staff at the Leahy Bocketti Harasymiak,LLC. and Father Joseph of St. Joseph’s Church.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday January 22nd, 2026, at 9:00 a.m., St. Joseph’s Church, 416 3rd Street, Troy. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Wednesday, January 21st, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Wm. Leahy - Bocketti  Funeral Home, 336 3rd Street, Troy. Parastas services will be held at 5:30 pm with Fr. Mikhail Myshchuk. 

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