Obituary of Kathleen K. Machi

Kathleen K. Machi (Milwaukee, WI) Penfield: Passed on Monday, April 9, 2012 at the age of 63, surrounded by her family. Kate was the loving wife of Anthony (Tony) Machi, and beloved mother of Robert, Matthew (Anne) and William. She was the cherished sister of Margaret (Gregory) Lisinski and Marian Ketterer. Kate was also a dear daughter-in-law to Rose Marie Machi, sister-in-law to Arlene (Richard) Klein, Roberta (Thomas) Smithco, Judith Ann Machi and loving aunt to many nieces and nephews. Her passions were many. After working in corporate communications with Lord Corporation, Kate left her position as a public relations specialist with the Erie County Library in Erie, PA, surrounded by the books she loved, to follow her husband to Rochester in 1980. She was hired on the spot after an interview for a position as public relations writer at Schlegel Corp. It made no difference what previous PR experience she had - her intelligence, clear and crisp language and "yes, I can" attitude made the case for her. Kate very quickly became an indispensable part of the team, teaching her more stogy colleagues the phrase, "balls to the wall!" She taught by example, with big ideas, creative ambition, a demand for excellence - of herself and everyone around her. She thought fast and she worked fast. Kate became Director of Marketing Communications in 1981 and worked closely with both marketing and manufacturing. She was as comfortable on the factory floor as in the executive office. Kate left Schlegel in 1989 to work with a series of entrepreneurs, looking for an opportunity big enough to match her vision. Her constant challenge was to match the breadth and depth of her ideas to the reality of a product or a market. She was also a person always committed to her community. Kate had been a Rape Counselor, Literacy Volunteer, board member of Mary Cariola Children's Center from 1992 to 1995, and Chairman of the Board of Catholic Charities of Monroe County from 1985 to 1989. Most recently, she was a teaching assistant with the Rochester School District. Kate especially loved her parent's farm in Wisconsin, where she and her family spent many beautiful summers. Visitation is at Church of the Transfiguration, 50 West Bloomfield Rd., Pittsford on Friday, April 13 from 9:00 to 10:30AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathleen's name to Shepherd Home, 1959 Five Mile Line Rd., Penfield, NY 14526. Interment is private.