Kathleen A. Polak, 87 of Summit Hill, passed away peacefully at home on December 17, 2021.  She was the wife of John S. Polak.  They would have been married 63 years on May 23^rd.

Kathleen was born in Coaldale on August 13, 1934, daughter of the late John E. and Annette C. (Shovelin) Kalinak.  She was a 1954 graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Coaldale.

In her early years, she worked for Carbon Telephone as a switchboard operator, but later took time off to raise her family.  When she rejoined the workforce many years later, many locals might remember her as the waitress from Carnish’s Bar and Grill or the friendly face at Tommy’s making their hoagies and cheesesteaks.  She loved decorating her home for the holidays and her neighbors can attest she had the cleanest windows in town.

She was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley, where she supported church fundraisers for many years.

Survivors:  Husband John, daughter Nancy L. Sanchez wife of William A. of Naples, FL, sons John S. Polak of Sellersville and Daniel S. Polak of Summit Hill, grandsons Logan J. and Justin D. Polak, sisters Anne Marie Riepensell of Allentown and Grace Polak of Lancaster.  Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Viewing: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 6PM to 8PM and on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 from 9:30AM to 10:30 AM all in the Parambo Funeral Home, 54 West Fell Street Summit Hill, PA 18250. www.parambofh.com

Mass of Christian Burial:  Wednesday at 11AM at St. Joseph Parish of the Panther Valley 426 Ludlow Street Summit Hill. Burial will follow in St. John The Baptist Byzantine Catholic Cemetery 356 East White Street in Summit Hill.  Funeral arrangements by the John F. Herron Funeral Home Bethlehem, www.Herronfuneralhomes.com

Contributions: In her memory to Autism Speak’s 1060 State Road, Second Floor Princeton, NJ 08540 or www.autismspeaks.org in support of her grandson, Justin, who she loved dearly and to help all children with autism.