Catherine "Cas" Jarkiewicz

JARKIEWICZ, CATHERINE

We sadly lost our rock, Catherine Jarkiewicz, on Thursday March 30, 2023.  She was a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a friend to all.

To her husband Mel, she was Cas. They met while they both worked at Southern States Cooperative.

He was a computer operator and she was a keypunch operator. There was a strict no dating rule at the office…they started breaking the rules way back then! Once Cas moved to Calvert Distillery, they were able to officially date. They married in 1966 and used their honeymoon money to furnish their new apartment. Summers were filled with family trips to Wild Wood and Cape Henlopen, where she helped Mel fish. Soon after they moved to Rosedale and bought their one and only house in 1966 where she was fortunate enough to be able to stay home and raise her boys. Once they were older, she started working at Baltimore County Homicide, where she worked for the next 20+ years.

Once the boys were out of the house, they booked a cruise to the Caribbean. Since then, traveling became their passion. Travelling to Tahoe, Key West, Biloxi, New Orleans, Niagara Falls, and even out to Alaska. A long list of cruises all thru Mexico and the Caribbean. Once in a lifetime trips to England, France, Germany, Ireland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Along the way, another new passion, okay maybe obsession for Casinos and those slots. No one had more luck than Cas! She more than often brought back winners!!

To her three sons, Steve, Brian, and Dan, she was Mom. She was their biggest cheerleader and supporter! From the early days of watching them on the sports fields, to stepping up as Den mother in the Cub scouts. All the kids wanted to be in her den because of her fun projects. She was very involved in the PTA and always advocated for all the kids. Always a lunch box full of something yummy and a home cooked dinner! A special treat for breakfast was Apple pancakes. An all-time favorite!!! Great memories of summers at the YMCA and neighborhood vacations at OC. She taught her sons to never take No for an answer. Fight for what you want. If that doesn’t work out, call back and talk to someone else! She was always there for her children unconditionally, a shoulder to cry on, a great listener, and to offer great advice.  

She was Mrs. Cas to her son’s friends. She treated everyone as if they were one of her own. There was always homemade breakfast for sleepovers, endless drinks, snacks, and taco pizza, and shared rides to all sports practices and games.

She was known to her grandchildren as Mom-Mom. Carly, Jackson, Ally, Evan, Cameron, and Connor were her most precious gift of all! She loved watching and supporting them, whether on the sports fields, tennis courts, or in the theatre. Loving them tirelessly, she always had a never-ending supply of snacks and ice cream. So many crafts, games, and toys always on hand. She loved having them help with cooking projects. During all the holidays, everyone got a scratch off, which was always the highlight!! And the grandkids all knew to come see her at report card time, to cash in all their A’s!

Last, she was Cas to so many friends and family. She has touched so many people through all her adventures. From lifelong friends made from the PTA, Police Department, and then their newer family at the Elks lodge. Everyone knew her for bringing in rum cakes, pies, and everyone’s favorite, pudding shots!!! Her luck seemed to spill over on Bar Bingo nights, sitting at table #2.

Cas, Mom, and Mom-Mom, she was so very loved and appreciated and will be dearly missed. She was a Rock to so many and will never be forgotten.

Cas is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Melvin Jarkiewicz; devoted sisters Eleanor Benewicz and Dorothy Pugaczewski; loving sons Steve Jarkiewicz, Brian Jarkiewicz (wife Nicole) and Daniel Jarkiewicz (wife Elizabeth); beloved grandchildren Carly Jarkiewicz, Jackson Jarkiewicz, Evan Jarkiewicz, Ally Jarkiewicz, Cameron Jarkiewicz and Connor Jarkiewicz. Cas is preceded in death by her parents Louis and Ann Nickel, and her siblings Evelyn, Elizabeth, Buddy and Hench.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday May 6th, 2023 at 3:00pm at Saint Clement Mary Hofbauer Parish, 1212 Chesaco Ave., Rosedale, MD 21237.

A celebration of life will follow at Elks Lodge – Middle River 1007 East Homberg Ave., Essex, MD 21221.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Office of Blindness and Vision Services by contacting Mr. Thomas Scheurich at 410-967-3484.