Katherine Rose Amato

Katherine Rose Amato, eleven years old, of Jacksonville Beach, Florida passed away on November 30, 2016 in her home, surrounded by her family. Kate was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Jeff and Lisa Amato on December 10, 2004. She was a student at Seabreeze Elementary School and Fletcher Middle School. She was a Girl Scout, a kind and loyal friend, an animal lover, a gifted singer and a pianist. She was loved and adored by her family, friends, and teachers for her warrior spirit, courage, compassion, and beauty. She was a ray of sunshine and through her illness she inspired thousands of people with her grace, strength, and bright beautiful smile. Kate is survived by her parents, Jeff and Lisa, her sister Caroline, her brother Jack, and her grandparents, James and Leah Amato and Thomas and June Selvig. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the doctors and nurses who have taken such loving care of Kate and to our community for their abundant love and kindness for over two years. As we all know and love Kate, we are certain she is concerned about our grief over her passing. She wants us to celebrate her life with love and joy; she wants us to be happy. She would say, Always remember to smile. When you do, her light will shine on.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday (December 17) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, 285 Church St., Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church. Burial will be private. The family will receive relatives and friends on Friday from 4-8 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made to Kate Amato's Memorial Fund (www.GiveForward.com/Amato-memorial). To share a memory of Kate with her family, please visit www.desopo.com.