Kathryn "Kitty" Melitski

Kathryn Melitski, nee Yemma, best known as Kitty, died peacefully surrounded by the love of her family on November 13, 2022, just five days shy of her 102nd birthday.

Born and raised in Somerville to the late Rocco and Jennie Marie Yemma, she was a graduate of Somerville High School and went on to attend cosmetology school.

Kitty met the love of her life, Joseph Patrick Melitski from Raritan, and were married in 1940. They settled in Somerville where Kitty opened a Beauty Salon attached to their home where she served generations of Somerville's finest ladies. The Melitski home on Culver Street always had an open door for friends and family alike. Kitty was a talented cook who could manage to stretch a meager family meal to anyone who had stopped by the house. Everyone always left with a full stomach and happy heart.

Kitty worked hard to run her business while raising her three children. She was active in Boy Scouts as a Den Mother and past president of the Somerville P.T.A. Kitty and her husband were founding members of Somerville Little League Baseball and she was the last surviving signatory of the original charter.

She was a parishioner of The Church of The Immaculate Conception and a member of the Holy Name and Altar Rosary Society. Kitty witnessed and supported Somerville through decades of change. When entering into retirement age, Kitty closed up the Beauty Salon and opened up a Party Store in Bound Brook. She maintained her own business which she operated until the main party mega-stores gained popularity. Unbelievably, she moved on and continued to work until she was 80 as a cashier at OfficeMax.

Kitty was recognized for dedicating over 3,500 volunteer hours at Somerset Medical Center. She had the ability to be a source of friendship, compassion, and comfort to many as they faced life’s inevitable challenges. It came as second nature to be kind and caring which earned her the respect and love of her family, friends, and the community at large. She lived a simple life that was filled with richness no money can buy. Kitty was in remarkable health until the end and enjoyed the earthly blessings of her family through three generations left to continue her legacy.

She was preceded in death by her best friend and soul mate, her beloved husband Joseph “Pat” Melitski in 1984, she endured the loss of her dear son, James Melitski, and her siblings Rocco Yemma, Theresa DiMuro, Gerard Yemma, and Anthony Camillo.

Surviving are her devoted and loving children, Joel Melitski and wife Lynda, Maryjane Hydro and husband Michael, and daughter-in-law Barbara Melitski, her nine cherished grandchildren, Joel and wife Liz, Jim and wife Jen, Jeff and wife Kristin, Cathy and husband Gregg, David and wife Alyssa, Greg and wife Danielle, Amanda and husband Dave, Jennie and husband Andrew, and Joseph, as well as her seventeen great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, and community friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00PM on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00AM on Kitty’s 102nd Birthday, Friday, November 18, 2022 at The Church of The Immaculate Conception, 35 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Union Avenue, Somerville.

Memorial contributions may be made in Kitty’s memory to Somerset Regional Animal Shelter, Donate Online .