Kathleen Pruchnowski

Kathleen Pruchnowski, 79, of Sarasota, FL passed away peacefully on February 24, 2024. Kathy was born on November 12, 1944, in Buffalo, NY. In 1967 she married her husband of 56 years, Dan, with whom she raised their only child, Donna. Kathy was a school bus driver for the Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda, NY school district for nearly 30 years. Kathy and Dan enjoyed vacationing in the Thousand Islands, NY, and Florida. After Dan suffered a massive stroke in 2001, they began splitting their time between New York and Florida. In 2010, they moved permanently to Sarasota, Florida. Kathy was a dedicated advocate for Dan and supported him endlessly in his stroke survivorship. Dan and Kathy were active members of the stroke and aphasia community in Sarasota, providing them a great source of support, comfort, and friendship during their retirement years. Kathy was highly sociable and a detailed storyteller; it was her superpower. Kathy loved the water and cruising on their boat. She had a passion for planning social events and cooking. Meal planning was often complete days or weeks in advance, so each opportunity to gather would be a special event. Kathy’s creative side was evident with hobbies including flower arranging, cake decorating, gardening, and crocheting. Despite her many interests, nothing gave Kathy greater joy than the time she spent with family and friends, as this was above all her greatest and most treasured passion. She loved deeply and with her whole heart, leaving an imprint on everyone fortunate enough to know her. We will miss her kind spirit, joyful energy, and beautiful radiance. Kathy is survived by her daughter Donna Marr and grandchildren Justin Marr and Allison Marr. She is also survived by a loving extended family and the many friends she considered family. Kathy’s beloved husband Daniel preceded her in death by four months, and they are now together again for eternity. She was also preceded in death by her parents Edward and Alice Swiatek, and her sister Audrey (Thaddeaus) Price. Celebration of Life services will be held on April 7, 2024, at Toale Brothers funeral home, 40 N Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL beginning at 11:00 AM. A reception will be held at Toale Brothers immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in Kathy’s honor to the Aphasia Community Center of Sarasota. https://www.aphasiasarasota.org/donate/

Tributes

Kathleen Pruchnowski

November 12, 1944 - February 24, 2024