Katherine C. Oppedisano

On September 25, 2019, Katherine Constance Oppedisano, loving mother of four children, passed away at the age of 82. Katherine was born on June 10, 1937 in Meadowbrook West Virginia, the daughter of the late Rose (nee Spino) and Lawrence Marra. She was the daughter of a coal miner and the granddaughter of Italian immigrants, and she spent her childhood surrounded by her close knit extended family, who lovingly nicknamed her "Toots." In her youth, Kathy played the organ for Church and spent her high school summers working at a drive-in movie theatre-but it was at Fairmont State University that she found her life's passion: in 1959 she graduated with a Master's Degree in teaching. She would teach for the next 47 years. Her first classroom was a one room school house in the hills of West Virginia. No doubt this position influenced her approach to education for the rest of her life- no matter the age of the child, she always taught to their abilities and interests, and all of her students thrived. In 1966, Katherine married Pat Oppedisano of Locri, Italy. They settled in Shelby Township, Michigan where she raised four children and taught for 38 years in the Utica School district. Crissman Elementary was her second home, and the students and teachers there became like family. She filled school years with chemical and physical change experiments, hands-on projects including sugar Easter eggs and salt maps, magic shows, plays, garden growing, and cooking. Creating learning experiences and inspiring students brought immense purpose and joy to her, and she was never too busy to mentor and share with fellow teachers. Helping others was the over-arching call for her life. At home she loved cooking, baking, gardening, hosting gatherings and holidays, and spending time with family and friends. She happily fed and hosted all the neighborhood kids in the summer, and she decorated elaborate birthday cakes for all of her children on their special day. In her later years, Kathy's egg-dyeing, pumpkin carving, Christmas caroling, and pancake breakfast parties were celebrated occasions for all who were lucky enough to walk through her door, and her door was always open. Even without a special occasion, Kathy's hospitality knew no bounds. She selflessly cared for her family and friends, including her Aunt Mary Bommarito. She was especially close with her brother Tony and her sister Mary Ann. Her daily interstate phone calls to Mary Ann were cherished, and they would vividly recap the days' events together. As a grandma, Kathy showed her grandchildren how to explore nature, be inquisitive, and find wonder in all things. In her lap they learned to love to read, and in her home they learned how to hatch a chrysalis, bake pizza cookies and pepperoni rolls, make giant bubbles and homemade playdough, do magic tricks, pick tomatoes from her garden, and search for the perfect Halloween costumes. Katherine was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Anthony "Bobby" Marra of Tennessee. She is survived by her four children, James, Anthony, Lisa (Jason) Wanecek, and Joe (Callie), her sister Mary Ann (Steve) Mayes, her brother John Marra, ten grandchildren and many well- loved nieces and nephews. Memorial Visitation will be held at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Ave, Rochester, on October 10th, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Kieran's Catholic Church, 53600 Mound Rd, Utica at 11:00 a.m. on October 11th. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation on Kathy's behalf to: DonorsChoose.org where you can help fund a classroom teacher's project. Choose a project in Utica Schools or anywhere in the U.S. St.Jude Children's Research Hospital- www.stjude.org/tribute where your donation helps families get life- saving treatments at no cost and funds research to find cures for childhood cancer.

Katherine C. Oppedisano

June 10, 1937 - September 25, 2019