STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For a century, Catherine Perkowski lived a life shaped by family, faith and generosity. A lifelong Elm Park resident, she died Jan. 3 at the age of 100.
Affectionately known as Kitty or Kasia, Catherine was born Oct. 26, 1925, to Polish immigrants Wladyslaw and Anna Perkowski. Her parents arrived on Staten Island as children in the late 19th century, later meeting, marrying and building their life together on the borough’s North Shore. Catherine was the 11th of their 13 children.
She grew up in a house her father built on Winant Street — a home that became the heart of a bustling family. The Perkowski children were raised with a chicken coop in the backyard, gardens tended by hand, and front-row seats to history, including the opening of the Bayonne Bridge in 1931.
The house stood near St. Adalbert Roman Catholic Church and within walking distance of Polish Bayonne, N.J., a trek Catherine and her siblings often traveled.
According to her nephew and godchild, Andrew Ostrowski, the younger girls were often tasked with hiking across the Bayonne Bridge to buy freshly made kielbasa and babki; he previously shared in an Advance/SILive.com article.
Kitty is seated with her sister Stephanie, Dan Ostrowski, John Ostrowski, and Gwen Sherwood, during the 1970’s. (Courtesy of the Perkowski family)Staten Island AdvanceCareer life
Raised on traditional Polish values of hard work and deep faith, Catherine came of age during World War II. She graduated from Port Richmond High School and went on to work at AT&T, starting in the mailroom as an internal runner — a position responsible for delivering and managing mail within the company.
Through dedication and persistence, she advanced to a supervisory role—though she later joked it brought more headaches than praise.
Her nephew and caregiver, John Ostrowski, recalled that she often grumbled about the long hours and overtime that came with the position, quickly setting people straight if they assumed it meant an easier position.
A life centered on family
Outside of work, Catherine cherished simple joys. Summers were spent at Faber Pool on Richmond Terrace, while winters brought hikes and ice skating at Clove Lakes Park.
Family stories later revealed a small space beneath the porch of the Winant Street home where the children once “camped out,” a testament to a childhood filled with imagination and closeness.
Members of the Perkowski family during the early years. Kitty Perkowski is sitting left. (Courtesy of the Perkowski family)Staten Island Advance
After her parents died, several of Catherine’s siblings married or moved away. One sister joined the Felician Sisters, an international order of Franciscan nuns.
During that time, Catherine became the breadwinner of the household, quietly supporting the family she remained devoted to throughout her life.
“She made certain not to miss any niece or nephews’ special event. You could always count on her,” said Ostrowski, previously to the Advance/SILive.com. “She was witty, generous, and loved to sing and dance. You could always find her on the dance floor.”
Family members said her kindness extended beyond celebrations to the smallest everyday interactions.
“If I brought something over there, say a bag of donuts or a loaf of bread, she would hand me $20,” added Ostrowski. “When I would go to give her change, she would say, ‘No, keep it for gas.’ She was very generous like that.”
Faith and celebrations
A lifelong parishioner of St. Adalbert, Catherine sang in the church choir for years and served as treasurer for numerous parish functions under the leadership of the Rev. Eugene Carella, now pastor of the Church of St. Rita in Meiers Corners.
Though she never married, Catherine poured her love into family, faith and a sharp-witted sense of humor. Known for her playful one-liners, relatives fondly recall her declaring, “Don’t give him milk — give him beer,” whenever a nephew walked through the door.
She was also a devoted New York Yankees fan and often engaged in good-natured rivalries with her sister Stephanie, an equally passionate New York Mets supporter, especially when both teams were playing and control of the television was up for debate.
Holidays were especially cherished at the Winant Street home. Christmas and Easter brought generations together around tables filled with homemade food, cold beer and endless storytelling. A nephew shared tales of the Apollo 13 mission, having worked on the Lunar Module. Another nephew, who became a nightclub singer, contributed his own musical compositions to the celebrations.
Kitty relaxes outside in her backyard screenhouse during her younger years. (Courtesy of the Perkowski family)Staten Island Advance
Catherine was immensely proud of her Polish heritage, marching in the annual Pulaski Day Parade in Manhattan and embracing traditions that anchored her throughout her life.
Her sister Josephine once noted that emerald green was her favorite color — a love so strong that Catherine would regularly visit a local Westerleigh jeweler just to admire new pieces.
In October 2025, Perkowski was honored as Staten Island’s latest centenarian in a feature published by the Advance/SILive.com, a milestone she met with her characteristic wit, famously remarking, “Nothing gets past me — I’ve seen it all.”
For the past several years, Catherine was cared for at home by her nephew John and a live-in aide.
She was predeceased by her parents; her brothers Walter, John, Raymond, Peter and Philip; and her sisters Rose, Helen, Stephanie, Teresa, Angela and Margaret. She is survived by her sister Josephine Ostrowski, 97, the last living member of the 13 Perkowski siblings.