Katherine Kay Frances Lopiccolo Weisinger

Katherine was a vivacious little girl and preferred playing baseball with the neighborhood children instead of chores. Recalling her childhood, she felt overwhelmed with daily responsibilities that left her little time to play and strived to break free from restrictions. This would be a constant theme in her life. Her father passed away when she was 7 yrs. old and her widowed mother struggled to raise both children alone during The Depression. Phyllis never remarried.

Katherine completed grammar school at Manierre School and attended Waller high School. while in middle school, a music teacher noticed her great singing voice and offered to give her discounted lessons. Even though there was no funds for those lessons, her love of music and dance remained with her throughout her life.

As a young girl of 16, Katherine worked at Montgomery Ward Warehouse after school. She also worked in New Orleans, LA at a penny arcade making change. She did various jobs like picking strawberries but eventually pursued a career as a bookkeeper and finally went on to work for Oak Manufacturing. She was extremely proud of her bookkeeping career and would tell anyone within earshot how she was a bookkeeper. When asked how she got into bookkeeping without any formal training, she simply "exaggerated" her qualifications and then quickly learned on the job. After Oak Manufacturing she worked for many years as property manager of Pattis Real Estate/West Park Place.

Katherine possessed natural movie star good looks and at age 17 she met a serviceman named Lee Parks and they married at St. Michael's Church in Old Town. She walked with her bridal party from her house three blocks away on Mohawk Street to the church in her wedding gown. (A tradition was started, as her daughter Phyllis and Tara eventually both married at St. Michael's). The children from the marriage were William, Ciro and Phyllis. Though the couple later separated, Katherine went on to have other children, with her youngest being Tara (Martha) with Ernesto Lopez.

While finally settling in Chicago in the 1970's, she became involved in local politics and causes and served as an election judge during voting for the 43rd ward. She was always involved in community issues and instrumental in the Title 6 conversion of West Park Place Preservation. She was friend and confidant to many neighbors and always there to lend a hand to those in need.

Her hobbies were arts & crafts, gardening, knitting and bingo. She had an envious natural green-thumb and could bring to life any seedling she touched. Every year she planted an amazing garden with her neighbors in front of her house. She made many beautiful knitted blankets and articles and gave them all away to family and friends. When she wasn't tinkering with crafts, she was enjoying bingo. She truly had great luck at the game and it kept her mind sharp.

She had a great passion for animals and had many dogs and cats. Pierre (a toy poodle) and Boy (a mixed breed stray), were two of her loyal constant companions. As she grew older, the care of a dog was not possible so she was convinced to give the feline persuasion a try. She quickly figured out the nuances of the cat. The last beloved family pet she had was a Russian Blue named Elle. Elle would keep her company at night snuggled by her side. Elle was taken from her residence, and it was her final wish that the cat be returned to the family. We are working on her return.

During last month of her life, she had an ominous feeling and asked her longtime friend Judy, for a rosary and cross. She was making peace with God.

Katherine is survived by all her children plus her many grandchildren: Joel, Eric, Amanda, Brian & Brenda, Justina & Melissa, Cary, and Luke & Max.

She will be greatly missed for the loving warmth, concern, and generous heart she bestowed on those around her. She was truly loved.