Obituary of Catherine B. Renken

Catherine B. Renken, [88], of Potomac Falls, VA, passed away peacefully on April 21, 2019, Easter Sunday, at her home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church, Sterling, VA on May 31, 2019, at 11:00 AM.  The Reverend William P. Saunders officiating.  Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, at a later date and time.  Adams-Green Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Catherine was born in Avoca, Pennsylvania to John and Katherine Ogurek on May 27, 1930.

She went to high school at Avoca High School and graduated in 1948.  Upon graduating from Grace Downs Airline School, she worked as an airline flight attendant for Capital Airlines for several years before meeting and marrying her Air Force husband, Randall Renken, and traveling the world while supporting him and raising her family.  She enjoyed travel, art, ceramics and volunteering for church activities.

Her greatest gift was encouraging and helping others.  She was a steward to those in need. You could find Catherine leading exercise classes, calling bingo, or praying the rosary with the residents at the Johnson Center (Falcons Landing) or West Falls Nursing Home.  Every morning she would walk with the 7AM walkers and head straight to mass.  Catherine was always serving others spreading the love of Christ to everyone through her actions and deeds.

Catherine is survived by her children, Robin Renken of Fairfax, VA., Michael Renken of Panama City, FL., Susan Macey of Falls Church, VA., sisters, Tess Ronson of Maryland and Nancy Brady of Westminster, Maryland,  eight grandchildren: Ryan, Andrew, Daphne, Dana, Stephen, Christopher, Colin and Ashley, and three great grandchildren: Reeves, Penelope, and Hunter and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Randall R. Renken, parents John and Katherine Ogurek, daughter Tena deLaski, brother Michael Ogurek, sisters, Veronica Lesko, Mary Levitsky, Mildred Macko, Stella Bavolar, and Jean Cieless. 

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to friends and family for their love and support during Catherine’s battle with ovarian cancer the past two and a half years.