"Long live the Queen…and that is exactly what she did."

Kathryn (Querio) Capista Colombo lived a long, prosperous, and extraordinary 107½ years, filling her life with family, friends, vacations, golfing and square dancing into her 90s, bowling into her 100s, finding time to sing in the church choir, playing on traveling church softball and basketball teams, and doing volunteer work. Most importantly, she did it all with an abundance of laughter and love.

Kathryn embraced life with an energy and spirit that made her unforgettable. She knew how to enjoy the simple pleasures, and she knew how to have fun.

Kathryn was a woman who was always willing to help others in their time of need, yet she never forgot to make time to enjoy life. She believed in living life to the fullest. Laughter was her best medicine, along with perhaps a martini, a glass of wine, chocolate or a bowl of ice cream.

She was born on January 13,1919 to Dominic and Rose Querio, the youngest of six children. Kathryn lived through the invention of commercial flight, television, nuclear power, the moon landing, personal computers, the internet, and smartphones. Her comfort zone was listening to her transistor radio for local news and sports. Her childhood began in downtown Joliet, back in the days when, as she would fondly recall, "you could still walk across the Des Plaines River without getting your feet wet."

"What a life," she would say.

Joliet would remain home in her heart throughout her life. Kathryn married George Capista in 1940, and together they had three boys. The family moved to Winnetka, where George operated the Winnetka Newspaper and Magazine Agency. Following his premature passing, Kathryn continued running the business while raising her family.

It was at a New Year's Eve party in 1953 that Kathryn met Pete Colombo. The two married in 1955 and began a new chapter in Joliet.

Christmas Eve at "Grandma's" was a family tradition. Kathryn would fill the kitchen with the unmistakable smells of the holidays, making homemade pasta and pizzelles and preparing a feast for the family. These gatherings became treasured memories.

For Kathryn, family was everything...her children, Jerry, Tony, and George, were her

pride and joy. She treasured every moment she spent with them and remained deeply interested in their lives throughout her 107 years. Daily visits and phone calls from family and friends were among the highlights of her days.

Kathryn leaves behind a family who will carry her memory forward in the traditions she created,

the stories she told, and the laughter and love she shared.

Kathryn is survived by her children, Jerry Capista (Judy), Tony Capista (Jane), and George Capista (Nancy Haviland); her grandchildren, Tina Trabold (Jim), Chad Capista (Lisa), Tony Capista (Angelina), Kristen Capista Tibble (Justin), and Jenni Greenway (Chad); and her great-grandchildren, Samantha Trabold, Tony Trabold, Maddyn Greenway, Beckett Greenway, Blakely Greenway, Carsyn Greenway, Tony Capista, Isabella Capista, Arabella Capista, Angelina Capista, Kinsley Capista, Declyn Tibble, Drew Capista, Sophia King, and Ben King, and her extended family: Noreen Capista, Robert (Roberta) Querio, Carolyn (Paul) Mastrangeli, and Nancy Horsley.

Zofia Brocka, Jadwiga "Harriet" Ciepiela, Nancy Querubin, and Karen McGowan were Kathryn's caregivers, who devoted so much time and gave so much love.

She was preceded in death by her beloved grandson, Tony Capista (1973-1994), three brothers, two sisters, mother, and father.

She leaves this world having lived a long, full, spirited life, surrounded by deep and enduring love.

Long live the Queen.

Her reign may have ended, but her legacy will live on forever.

Visitation for Kathryn will be held at the Farkas Funeral Home, Richard J. Tapella, Funeral Director, 3201 West Jefferson Street, Joliet on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 beginning at 10:00 AM until time of service at 12:00 Noon. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Joliet.