Obituary of Kathleen D. Alterio
Kathleen Diane Alterio, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on August 31, 2021. She was 79 years old.
Kathy was born on September 1, 1941, in Peekskill, NY, to Robert and Marion (Tompkins) Van Tassell. On October 27, 1962, she wed Joseph Anthony Alterio at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights. They were married for 47 years until Joseph passed away in March 2010.
Kathy is survived by her four children: Michael (Julie) Alterio of Goldens Bridge, NY; Christopher (Caroline) Alterio of Akron, NY; Susanne (Robert Ryan) Alterio of Averill Park, NY; and Stephanie (Richard) Brideau of Putnam Valley, NY. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Nick (Alexandria) Alterio, Celia (Mark) Seigers, Samantha (Eric) Legato, Caleigh Alterio, Casey (Matthew) Willadsen, RJ Brideau, Todd Scaturro, Rachel Brideau, Alexander Ryan, and Violet Alterio; and eight great-grandchildren: Evelyn Alterio, Liam Guard, Quinn Seigers, Elizabeth Alterio, Lorelei Guard, Wesley Seigers, Eleanor Alterio, and Seraphina Legato.
Kathy had a gift for connecting with children, first as a mother of her own kids and also as the “neighborhood mom” for the children of Orchard Street, where she raised her family for many years. She enjoyed her career as a teacher’s aide for over two decades in the Peekskill City School District, where she worked primarily at Oakside Elementary School.
Kathy’s hands were always busy with crafts, except when she was reading historical novels. She expressed her creativity in ceramics, sewing, embroidery, crocheting, and knitting. She loved houseplants and flowers, and she enjoyed morning walks in the garden to see what blossomed overnight.
Kathy and Joe both valued getting away with family, from summer trips to the Jersey Shore to Labor Day camping gatherings to Columbus Day weekends near Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks.
Kathy always had a cat or two in her home, including her latest pet Sasha, who was constantly by her side.
Kathy’s family remembers the many holidays featuring her cooking and baking, including her manicotti, calzones, chocolate chip cookies, pineapple upside-down cake, and traditional Italian meat, sweet, and wheat pies at Easter.
She is also survived by sisters Virginia Scherer, Donna Heady, Janice Faby, Leslie Hotchkiss, and brother William Van Tassell. She also had many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She is predeceased by her brothers Robert Van Tassell Jr. and Bruce Van Tassell.
Visitation will be held on Monday, September 6, 2021, from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home 414 Washington Street, Peekskill, NY
Chapel Service officiated by Deacon Vincent Alterio will begin at 8:00 pm during hours of visitation.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, from 10:00 am to 10:50 am at Church Of The Assumption 920 1st St, Peekskill, NY
Kathy will be brought to her final resting place beside her beloved husband at Assumption Cemetery 1055 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY
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