Catherine Piedad Gollatz

Age 78, passed away peacefully on November 2, 2024, with her children lovingly by her side.

Catherine was born on March 13, 1946 to Henry and Piedad Guilshan, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She moved to the United States as a small girl and grew up in New York. She was raised with a strong sense of family and faith, instilled by her mother and extended family in Ecuador. 

Catherine married John Gollatz on June 28, 1970, and they started their family together in Syracuse, New York, where John attended medical school. 

Catherine moved to Pittsburgh, PA in 1979, where she raised her children. When her children were older, she returned to school for her master’s degree and then taught reading and Spanish at Freeport Area School District. During her teaching years, she developed wonderful, long-lasting friendships with her colleagues. In her free time, Cathy attended bible study, served as a eucharistic minister, and made time to travel to Atlanta, Georgia and Ashburn, Virginia to spend time with her eight grandchildren. 

Cathy loved to laugh and spend time with her family. She was a devoted mother and intentional about developing deep relationships with her grandchildren, whether cheering them on at swim meets or soccer games, doing crafts, or teaching them Spanish.

Catherine will be missed dearly by her children, Brian Gollatz and Christine Gollatz DeWitt; and eight grandchildren, Kiera, Kaitlin, Zoe, Caleb, Madeline, Joshua, Calvin and Jonathan. She will also be missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Elisa, with whom she developed fond relationships.

Celebrate Catherine's life with her family on Saturday from 9-10 AM at Christ the King Parish, St. Joseph Church, O'Hara Twp. (Pittsburgh),where a Mass of Christian Burial will follow immediately at 10 AM. After the mass, she will be laid to rest beside her husband at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Sharpshill. Arrangements made by Perman Funeral Home.