Katherine E. (Jerome) Tarmasewicz, 90, of Westminster, died peacefully Thursday, October 8, 2026, at UMass Memorial Medical Center-Memorial Campus of Worcester, after an illness.

Born in Winchendon on March 6, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Leonard and Esther (Labarge) Jerome. She graduated from Murdock High School in 1955. Katherine was employed as a custodian at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for 15 years until her retirement. Previously, she worked as a secretary for Simplex for three years.

Katherine found joy in life's simple pleasures, especially reading, knitting, crocheting, and sewing. She loved spending time browsing flea markets and yard sales, always enjoying the opportunity to discover something special. Katherine especially cherished the Christmas season and all the traditions and memories that came with it. She enjoyed camping, listening to music, watching Hallmark movies and classic Westerns, and cheering on her beloved Boston Red Sox. She also held a special place in her heart for her cherished pets, Pebbles, her dog, and Pepper, her cat. Above all, Katherine's greatest happiness came from being surrounded by her family. Nothing meant more to her than the time they spent together, and she treasured the love, laughter, and memories they shared throughout the years.

Katherine is survived by her daughter, Karen Kirwood of Westminster; her grandchildren, Kelly Cook and her husband Timothy of Arizona, Robert Kirkwood and his wife Joyce of Arizona, and Tracy Gilman and her husband Scott of Phillipston; great-grandchildren, Victoria, Kaitlynn, and Maggie Chase (Armstrong); a great-great grandson, Declan; a brother, James Jerome and his wife, Joann of Dayton Beach, Florida; two sisters, Judith Jerome of Florida, Darlene Babineau and her husband, Paul of Ashburnham; a sister-in-law, Diane Damien of Westminister; nephews, Paul and Michael Babineau, alongside many more nieces, and nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Tarmasewicz, July 24, 2015; a daughter, Loreen Amadon, who died on April 19, 2026; her son, Edward "PeeWee" Tarmasewicz, who died on August 9, 2026; three brothers, Alan, Dean, and Robert Holmes; and a son-in-law, Robert Kirkwood.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Gardner Animal Shelter, c/o Gardner Police Department, 200 Main Street Gardner, MA 01440. Please reference in memory of Katherine E. Tarmasewicz.