Katherine Lodato

LODATO, Katherine (Katie) Russo, 91 years young, died March 1, 2012 in Tampa. Born in New York City to Italian immigrants, Katie worked in the NYC Garment District. She married in 1942 to Army Private Americo S. Lodato (1919-2003). They moved to Ybor City in 1946 to start a family business. Katie was intelligent, industrious, prudent, artistic, pious, and loving. She earned her GED with honors at age 56 and was a role model to fellow students. She was a founding member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (1958), member of the Ladies’ Altar and Rosary Society, taught CCD, worked in the rectory, volunteered at church festivals, and attended retreats and the Cursillo. She joined the 3d Order of Carmelites in the 1960’s. She is survived by her daughters Karen S. Lodato and Maura Lodato Quirk and was a second mother to Richard Quirk III; grandchildren Army LTC Richard (Terri), Air Force Major Michael (Tiffany), and Marine 1st LT Stephan (Allyson) Quirk and great grandchildren Dominic, Emma, Chloe, Conrad, Amelia, Amerigo, and Zoe Quirk. She is also survived by her brothers, Vincent, Franklin, and Joseph and was predeceased by her sisters, Antoinette and Josephine. A family statement reads, “We are happy she is in heaven; and yet we miss her.” A funeral mass will be held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church on Thursday March 8, 2012 at 11AM with a visitation at the church starting at 10AM. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery.