Kathryn Louise (Cooper) Cortese
Kitty Lou Cortese
February 21st, 1939 - March 9th, 2020
Kathryn Louise Cortese was born in Weirton, West Virginia to Jenny and Perry Cooper. Kitty Lou, as they called her, had two brothers, Robert James Cooper and an infant who died at birth.
Kitty was very smart and was very close to her family, especially her mother and her brother Robert before he passed early at the age of 18.
Kitty married the love of her life on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1958. Kitty was 21, and John was 25. The two took their vows at the Nazarene parsonage in Pennsylvania.
They lived long and blessed lives during their 60 years of marriage. They were pregnant for the first time in late 1959, and to their surprise, they had twins! On June
26th, 1960, John Perry Cortese and Robert James Cortese were born, and shortly after, in 1962, Michael Lee Cortese completed their family. Three rambunctious sons lived in the same home that her husband John built. Kitty and John have lived there their entire married life, frequently visiting their sons in Florida. Englewood, FL, was one of their favorite places to visit their children and eventually bought a winter home there.
Kitty had lots of hobbies and interests. She was an avid gardener and knew almost everything about plants. She loved art, made pottery and loved square dancing with her husband, John.
She worked as a Switchboard operator for AT&T out of high school but quit to raise her family. At the age of 46, she received her bachelor's degree in Public Administration from Point Park College. She then started working at the IRS in Pittsburgh, Pa., until her retirement.
She lead a full life with her family. Her son Bob married Anna Castaldo and blessed her with two grandchildren, Jonathan and Paige Cortese. She was in disbelief when Paige was born, saying that our family only produces boys and was overjoyed to have a little girl in the family.
She will always be remembered for her strength, kind heart, and love for her family, country, and friends.
May she rest in peace.
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