October 28, 1942 – August 10, 2026
Kathleen Ann “Kathy” Vitulli passed away on August 10, 2026, at the age of 83, leaving behind a remarkable life defined by adventure, devotion to family, and kindness and inner light that touched all who knew her.
Born Kathleen Ann Burns on October 28, 1942, in a small town near Cleveland, Ohio, Kathy attended Kent State University before embarking upon an extraordinary chapter of her life as General Electric’s “Lady of Light.”
In that role, Kathy traveled across the country on a nationwide tour promoting the wonders and possibilities of electric light. She visited more than 144 cities in 46 states, traveling nearly 140,000 miles and receiving the key to every major city she visited.
Kathy frequently made headlines during her travels, appearing in innovative, high-tech promotional fashions created to showcase General Electric’s technology. Among the most memorable was a patriotic “astro gown,” engineered by GE technicians to illuminate in the dark—a striking symbol of the technological optimism of the era.
Yet for all the attention surrounding the lights she helped showcase, those who knew Kathy understood that the light of her inner beauty and kindness shone brighter than any engineering phenomenon. It was that warmth, grace, and generosity of spirit that would ultimately define her life far more than any headline or spotlight.
In 1969, Kathy moved to South Florida and began a new chapter as a medical transcriptionist. In 1974, she met the man who would become her husband and lifelong companion, Peter Andrew Vitulli, Sr. They married in 1977 and built a life together centered on love, family, and the simple pleasure of sharing their years side by side.
Kathy, Peter, Sr. and Peter, Jr. made their home in South Florida, where they enjoyed a life close to the family they cherished.
Kathy is survived by her beloved husband, Peter Andrew Vitulli, Sr., her stepson, Dr. Peter Andrew Vitulli, Jr., daughter-in-law Sarah Vitulli, her grandson, Peter Vitulli III; her granddaughters, Marisa Vitulli, Antonella Vitulli, and Annalisa Vitulli; Marilyn and Bill Gormley, Tim Moffit, Carolyn Moffit, Kathleen Moffit, Mary Moffit-Hujer, Marie Barritt; Ann, Anudra and Abigail Persad, and Cathy Bray.
From a young woman traveling across America as the Lady of Light to the wife, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, and friend she would become, Kathy brought warmth and brightness wherever life took her.
The lights and headlines of her remarkable early years may have faded with time, but Kathy’s true light never did. It lives on in Peter, in her family, in the many lives she touched, and in the memories of all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.
Her light will continue to shine.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either St. Jude's Hospital or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation
