GORDON KATHRYN JEAN (FIALKA) A native of Somerville, NJ, and a longtime resident of Lincoln Place (Pittsburgh), passed away unexpectedly Sunday, August 23, 2015. Born April 20, 1924, in Somerville, NJ, Kathryn had a successful nursing career for almost 40 years, while raising a family of seven. Jean was a beloved mother, and wife to her husband, Stephen Don Gordon, who preceded her in death. Jean enjoyed simple pleasures like cooking and flower gardening, and her love was boundless for nature and animals. Jean was a talented artist who applied her creativity in many art forms including sewing, calligraphy, scherenschnitte, oils, and watercolors. After surviving colon cancer, Jean retired from Jefferson Hospital to spend time with her large family in these and other activities she loved. Jean was a lifetime learner who enjoyed reading autobiographies and The New Yorker magazine, after which she would generously share tidbits of knowledge gleaned from these sources. Jean was the go-to person for a classic or new recipe or crossword puzzle answer. She taught her children well, guiding them in life to be creative, adventurous, kind and generous. Most of her children share her tendency to laugh a bit too loudly. Three of Jean's brothers and two of her sisters predeceased her, Edward (Lucille), Albert (Irene), Alan (Betty) Fialka, Elizabeth Lyd (Victor) Nelson, Mildred Mo (John) Merski; her son-in-law, Dennis Hornak, also predeceased Jean. Jean is survived by her brother, John Buzz Fialka, his wife, Jean; her sister, Millicent Mill Kraft and her husband, George; her seven adoring children, Dr. Margaret Meg Gordon (Chief Warrant Officer Robert Shea, US Army Retired), Gregory Gordon, Stephen Gordon, Jennifer Raleigh (David Raleigh), Julie Hornak, Elizabeth Kish (Robert Kish), and Dr. Anne Gordon (fiancé, Joel Sensenig); and loving and grateful grandchildren, First Lieutenant Maighdlin Shea (First Lieutenant Mike J. Kohne), Cadet Meredith Shea, Robert Kish, Kyle Raleigh, Brandon Kish, Sydney Raleigh, and Isaac Sensenig; also surviving are many, many nieces and nephews in New Jersey and Pittsburgh. Friends are welcome Friday from 2-9 p.m. at STATHERS FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, INC., 1222 Muldowney Avenue, Lincoln Place, (412) 464-4377. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 10 a.m. in Holy Angels Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Animal Friends at: http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/site/c.elKWIeOUIhJ6H/b.8454429/k.BF0B/Home.htm Send condolences post-gazette.com/gb