Kathleen S. Straub

Kathleen Schell Straub

September 14, 1947 – May 1, 2026

Beloved, adored, and revered matriarch of her family, Kathleen S. Straub, also known as Kathi, Mom, and Mom-Mom, passed into Heaven on Friday evening, May 1, 2026.

Kathi was a resident of Skippack Township (Collegeville) for the past 13 years with her husband, Bill (William G. Straub, Sr.), of 55 years.

Prior to her residence here, Kathi and Bill resided and raised their family of three children – daughters, Lauren and Colleen, and son, Billy (William G., Jr.) – in Audubon. Audubon, in every sense of the word, was home. From countless, memorable days and nights on Bunting Circle, to weekly shopping at Genuardi’s, to various little league sports at the ARA fields, to PTO volunteering at Audubon and Woodland Elementary Schools, and, significantly so, to worshipping, volunteering, and celebrating her children’s sacraments at their parish, St. Teresa of Avila.

Academically speaking, Kathi graduated from St. Bernadette’s (Drexel Hill), Villa Maria Academy (Class of ’65), and Manor College. Most notably of the three, Kathi came away from Villa Maria Academy and Manor with two very profound aspects of her life – music and lifelong friendship. Classically trained on the piano, Kathi took special accomplishment in performing on the piano and conducting an orchestra. Regarding lifelong friendship Kathi had the fondest regards for her cherished friends, better known as “the OATs.”

Prior to her married life, Kathi grew up in Drexel Hill and Havertown, the daughter of Jack and Anne Schell (nee Mulhall).

Professionally Kathi served as a legal secretary for local law firms and judges, over the course of approximately 20 years.

Professional and academic life aside, Kathi had devoted herself to all things family. Fond memories include Saturday evening mass at St. Teresa followed by dinner out, raising her children, managing our dog (Krimpet), orchestrating family get-togethers for the holidays, and cooking literally thousands upon thousands of meals.

Kathi was also known as “Mom-Mom” to her 9 adoring grandchildren. Jack, Colin, Ben, Juli, McKenna, John & Ryan, Mason, and Owen, were purely the apple of her eye. A quick walk through her home would readily reveal her pride and joy was them. Remembering each and every birthday and Christmas was paramount to her. To attend any of their events, whether it be music, sports, sacraments, or otherwise, one surely would have thought it was the highlight of her week.

Kathi’s family, in speaking on her behalf, notes her tireless ability to listen, an undivided mind for discussion, a most earnest spirit to help, a robust degree of faith, a compassionate heart, and a fierce commitment to family.

Kathi is survived by her husband, Bill, Sr.; son, Bill, Jr., his wife, Jodi, their children, John, Colin, and Julianne; daughter, Lauren, her husband, Michael, and their children, Benjamin, McKenna, and Mason; daughter, Colleen, her husband, Todd, and their children John, Ryan, and Owen.

Kathi’s family invites one and all to attend her viewing and mass at St. Teresa of Calcutta in Limerick, on Wednesday, May 6, at 9:30am, with mass beginning at 11:00am. Burial and reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks a memorial donation be made in her name to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. www.stjude.org 

Arrangements entrusted to Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home. Condolences may be made by visiting www.meyersfh.com