Obituary of Jean Marie McKee

Jean Marie Steger Bernatowicz McKee, age 88 of Erie, gladly took the hand of her guardian angel and crossed over to a glorious greeting of family and friends on Friday July 20, 2018.  Jean was able to make her transition peacefully at home with the excellent care of her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Rose and Jim Szympruch and the staff of VNA Hospice.  Jean was the beloved daughter of Rose Moser Steger and Charles Steger Sr.  Born on her mother’s birthday, April 11^th in 1930, they celebrated their birthday’s together until Rose passed away on February 13, 1986. 

Jean worked at Copes-Vulcan for 29 years, mostly managing the mail room.  She also spent many years on the Board of Directors for the Copes-Vulcan Credit Union.  After retiring she donated her time as a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital and later became an associate with the Sisters of St. Joseph.  She enjoyed donating and spending time with the sisters at the Mother House.  Jean and her beloved husband Paul R. McKee were inseparable and did everything together such as, snowmobiling, boating, camping, cross-country skiing and trailering as far as California.  This ended when God called Paul home suddenly on January 9, 2001.  Jean and Paul are now together forever. 

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her former husband, Francis Bernatowicz; one son, Frank Bernatowicz; one sister, Bernadette Shumac and two brothers, Charles Steger Jr. and Joseph Steger.

Along with her daughter and son-in-law, she is survived by one son, Dr. Thomas Bernatowicz and his wife, Anne Merles of Paris, France, four grandchildren, Jamie (Joseph) Snieder, James W. “Bill” Szympruch and his fiancée Jennifer Joint all of Erie, Sarah Elizabeth (Mark) Kuhn of Texas and Charlie (Michael Stricklin) Bernatowicz of Chicago, IL.  Jean is further survived by many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. 

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home & Crematory Inc. 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Tuesday from 2-5 and 7-9 PM and are invited to a prayer service there on Wednesday morning at 9:15 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at St. George Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to either, the ANNA Shelter 1555 East 10^th. St. Erie, PA 16511, or the VNA Hospice 2253 W. Grandview Blvd. Erie, PA 16506.