Katherine Mary Kermish was born about 1909 to Steve Kermish and Mary Potosky, both born in Austria-Hungary.

At the time of the 1920 Federal Census, the family lived at Cumberland, Greene County, Pennsylvania. Steve Kermish, 38, a coal miner, and Mary, 29, were the parents of Katie, 11, Steve, 9, Mary (Marie G.), 4, and Andy, 1.

From a list of Pennsylvania Registered Nurses, 1940-1941, published by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nurse Examiners: "Katherine Mary Kermish, 3558 East St., Pittsburgh." She and her sister, Marie, apparently lived together. Marie's marriage license record, dated 1936, gave this same address for her.

Nothing more is known about Katherine Mary Kermish.