Cathy PIERONEK

14 AUG 1962 - 9 APR 2015

• BIRTH: 14 AUG 1962, Detroit, Michigan
• DEATH: 9 APR 2015, South Bend, IN

INDEX

[N12673] Catherine F. Pieronek
Aug. 14, 1962 - April 9, 2015
SOUTH BEND - Catherine F. Pieronek, 52, of South Bend, Indiana, died on April 9, 2015, at Memorial Hospital. Cathy was born on August 14, 1962, in Detroit, MI. She is survived by her mother, Joann Pieronek, and predeceased by her father, Richard Pieronek. Cathy graduated in 1984 from the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. Following her childhood dream of working in the space program, she moved to Los Angeles to work for TRW and earned her master's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of California at Los Angeles. As a senior systems engineer at TRW she led the effort to develop and deploy the Data Relay System on NASA's Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, launched in 1991, and also worked on the Chandra satellite. In 1992, she returned to Our Lady's university to pursue her law degree and was the Editor in Chief of the Journal of College and University Law. She earned her J.D. magna cum laude in 1995, and became the Director of Alumni Relations for the law school and editor of its quarterly publication. Interested in gender-based equity issues, she became an expert in Title IX issues, both publishing and speaking around the US on the topic. Cathy was also Of Counsel to Shedlak and Benchik Law Firm LLP. More recently, Cathy served as the Associate Dean in the College of Engineering, bringing her wisdom and love of engineering to students and faculty. She was the Director of the Women's Engineering program and regularly published and presented on STEM issues. Named a fellow in the Society of Women Engineers at the national level, she also advised the student chapter on campus. Her awards were many, eclipsed only by the positive impact she had on the lives of others. Unbeknownst to many, she was a skilled artisan, and enjoyed sewing, knitting and crocheting. On December 9, 2006, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, she married Charles Shedlak, who survives. Other survivors include her sister, Patty (Ian) Frost, brother, Tom (Erin) Pieronek, and her nieces and nephews, Madelyn, Maxwell, Daniel, Brendan, Nathan, Craig and Megan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday April 13, 2015, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 12 Noon until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, where friends and family may pray the Rosary at 5:00 p.m., and from 8:30 a.m. until 9:15 a.m. Monday in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Pieronek Family Scholarship Fund at the University of Notre Dame. Published in South Bend Tribune from Apr. 11 to Apr. 12, 2015