Kathleen F.

"Kathy" Finklestein

At 62 years of age, Kathy passed away on Tuesday April 10 ^th 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. Born and raised in Chelsea she was the daughter of Chester P. and Carole M. (Lombardozzi) Pawlak. She was raised in Chelsea growing up in the family home on Broadway Chelsea with her parents, her younger sister Chrissy, 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 was graduated from Chelsea High School class of 1973. She continued her education at Fisher Jr. College attaining her Associates 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 of the New England Business Services Association. A longtime member of the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, she served as a Board Member, was 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. She 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 "Chrissy" Pawlak of Chelsea, and dear sister-in-law of Paula Finklestein of Middleton, Andrea and Chuck Hill of FL 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, survived by his wife Irene Lombardozzi of Chelsea. She is also survived by her great aunt, Laura Kwiatkowski, great uncle, Alfred Uminski and his wife Elaine, 2 nephews, Justin Hill and Akram Elouche and her dear niece, Celia Anne Elouche and many dear and loving cousins and numerous extended family members.