WILMINGTON — Kathryn Marie Rossi joined her beloved son, Gio, in heaven on April 16th, 2022. She was surrounded by her family.
Kathryn was born on Feb 26th, 1983, in Corning, NY, to Ralph and Debbie (Koehne) Rossi Jr. While living in Corning, Kathryn grew up with a tight nit group of neighborhood friends. From a young age she loved playing volleyball and softball, excelling as an all-star catcher. In 1999, she moved to Wilmington, NC with her parents and graduated from Laney high school. She continued her education, graduating from Miller-Motte College and began a rewarding career in communications at an emergency call center and later moving on to customer service in software.
Kathryn loved everything football, especially the Philadelphia Eagles. She was so proud to talk stats with her dad and brother. She knew more about football than most men and would accept you no matter your team. Even if it was the Dallas Cowboys.
Kathryn was a lover of all foods. Whenever the family would get together it called for Taco Night. It was always a celebration. She could celebrate her birthday any day of the year. All we had to do was add a candle to dessert, which sometimes was an artichoke.
Kathryn found peace and calmness in music and her faith. The two went hand in hand. She had an eclectic taste in music, from rap and hip hop to oldies with her dad, Disney with her mom, or listening to her sister, Jennifer, play the piano. She loved music. She found solace in God and served a mighty one. He got her through many trials, tribulations, and celebrations.
Everyone that knew Kathryn, knew how much she loved dogs, especially pit bulls. Kathryn met one of her best friends, Rosey, in 2017 at a memorial for a family that lost their dog. In Feb 2018, Rosey’s Rescue became a nonprofit. From the beginning, Kathryn was very involved, often boasting that it was her “favorite rescue”. Kathryn was instrumental in assisting with fundraising for the special needs dogs, adoption events to give the dogs her own special love, and she never missed an opportunity to share the pets on social media in hopes to help find them their forever homes. Kathryn also volunteered at PAWS Resale Shoppe, Rosey’s store.
Kathryn had an infectious laugh and smile. She was the life of the party, the sun on a cloudy day, and always greeted you with open arms.
Kathryn preached the importance of family and friends. She had many inside jokes with her parents and siblings. From silly dances during Rossi Night, quoting many movies together, spinning blade, Disney movie slumber parties, Box Car Children, Military School, to late night singing sessions; there were always memories to laugh and remanence about.
Since Kathryn had such a big, loving heart, she often extended her family to many children and always considered them her own. She opened her heart and home to anyone. She never met a stranger. Kathryn developed a special bond with her extended sister, Drica. Drica shared all her children with Kathryn and in true child fashion, they would try to pit one parent against the other. It never worked. Kathryn and Drica share Dominique, Amarie, Labron, Lyric, Lamon, La’Ava, and O’Dell, and grandchildren Addison, Kylier, and Ha’Jirah.
Kathryn loved EVERYTHING purple and christmas lights. She would start asking for tickets to Airlie Gardens for the following year, the year before. There were many nights spent creating memories, driving around looking at Christmas lights or sitting at Jeff Gordon’s car dealership watching the light show to music.
Kathryn will be deeply missed by her parents, Ralph and Debbie Rossi Jr, siblings, Jennifer, Amie, and Mathew, niece and nephew, Olivia and James, many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, along with her beloved four-legged companion, Damien.
Kathryn is loved to the moon and back, always and forever, to infinity and beyond.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lower Cape Fear Life Center, for their care and gentle ways.
A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm on Friday, April 22, 2022 at Andrews Mortuary Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market Street, Wilmington, NC 28401. A visitation will be held from 2:00 pm until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family like you to consider a donation to Kathryn’s favorite dog rescue:
Rosey’s Rescue Inc.
Nonprofit Dog Rescue
EIN 82-4905192
2462 Slocum Trail
Atkinson, NC 28421
PayPal: [email protected]
Venmo: Rose-MilazzoKirby (last 4 digits 0998 may be needed for confirmation).
Share online condolences with the family, here, in the guestbook.
