Katelyn Frances Gecik

Katelyn Frances Gecik, age 30 years, of Somerset, NJ, died on Monday, January 4, 2021 at St. Peter’s Medical Center, Albany, NY.

Born at St. Peter’s Medical Center, New Brunswick, NJ, June 28, 1990, daughter of Liz Tiger Orlando and Gregory J. Gecik, Sr., Katelyn was a lifelong Somerset County, NJ resident.

With a kind heart that was full of compassion and genuine love, Katelyn enjoyed listening to all types of music: from country to pop to show tunes, music was a gateway to her soul.

She also was a prolific writer, and happily wrote in her  journal often. Extremely crafty, her artistic ability also involved painting and drawing where her talent was limitless. A fashionista, she loved to wear cosmetics in order to highlight natural beauty, and of course she would always say that no outfit was complete without a good pair of fitted jeans coupled with the perfect pair of boots! Her outfit was only truly complete however, if she was holding a cup of hot Starbucks coffee.

Having a deep love for her children and family, she also had a fondness for animals. From the tiniest fish to elephants, Katelyn would do anything to help an animal. She had a magic touch when it came to animals trusting her, and she was known to rescue any animal in need. She had a passion for horses, and was very involved in English and Western barrel racing when she was younger.

The last several years were tough for Katelyn as she struggled with the disease of addiction. To anyone reading this who needs help, please reach out now as there are so many who will help you, and not judge. We are all human and we are all, or at least we should be all, here for one another.

The song ‘Seasons of Love’ in the broadway production of RENT was a song that touched Katelyn immensely. As you reflect on the following lyrics, please remember that we are all in this ‘life’ together, and with heartfelt love, and less judgement, we can all lead happier and more productive lives; we owe it to one another to simply, and always, be kind.

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure? Measure a year?

In daylights,
In sunsets,
In midnights,
In cups of coffee,
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife

In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in a life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love…
Seasons of love…
Seasons of love…

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty five thousand journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure a life of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or in times that she cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she died

Its time now to sing out though
The story never ends
Let’s celebrate remember a year in a life
Of friends

Remember the love…
(Oh you gotta remember the love)
Remember the love…
(Oh yeah, its a gift from up above)
Remember the love…
(Sing out, give out, measure your life
In looooooove…!)
Seasons of love…
Seasons of love…

Katelyn was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Frances and Alvin Tiger; her paternal grandparents, Anna Lee and John Gecik; and her cousin, Michael Steven Pohle, Jr.

Surviving are her three adored children, Emma Grace Kroeckel, James Michael Alpaugh, and John (Jack) Bartles Prignano; her mother and step-father, Liz and Peter Orlando; her father and step-mother, Gregory and Patricia Gecik; her brother and sister-in-law, Gregory J. Gecik, Jr. and Christine Otto; her sister and her partner, Megan Gecik and Kenny Buco; her brother, Michael Orlando; her brother and sister-in-law, Peter and Jennifer Orlando; her God mother and uncle, Teresa and Michael Pohle; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family; and many friends.

Visitation and a life celebration service officiated by Certified Life Celebrant D.J. Wright will take place privately due to the pandemic, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

Please note there will be a public life celebration service in the spring/summer of 2021 when the pandemic restrictions are hopefully lifted. Kindly check back as the information will be posted here on this page when known.

You are encouraged to visit Katelyn’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

For those who wish to honor Katelyn, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”