Obituary for Kathleen Carol Negri (Palovich)
On January 8, 2020, Kathleen departed her home in Bayport, MN., excited to make her lifelong dream of visiting Hawaii, a reality. The day she arrived was beautiful, and she was so happy to have finally reached “Paradise”, leaving winter behind.
Due to the travel restrictions in place in March, followed by a brief hospital stay in April, Kathy would make the hard decision to stay in Hawaii. It wasn’t easy to leave all she knew and loved in Minnesota, but, following Doctor's advice not to live alone, she knew it was for the best.
After another brief hospital stay, Kathy decided to move on to another “paradise”. Our beloved Mother; Grandmother; Great-Grandmother; Auntie; and friend, passed on to her final resting place, December 6, 2020.
Kathleen was born on September 15, 1939, in Bessemer, Michigan, to Frank and Mary Palovich. The youngest of 8 children, Kathleen was adored by her parents, particularly her father, whom as she boasted, “gave her whatever she wanted”. She married Dominic Negri in 1958, and became a sailor’s wife, moving far away to Norfolk, Virginia.
Kathleen is survived by her three children, Jodie(Michael)Greene, Ewa Beach, HI.; Jeff(Dana)Negri, Rockford, Illinois; and Sheila(Tony)Finley,Geneseo, Illinois. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved them deeply. She will be missed by them all… Amanda(Daniel)Kinner, Aaron Greene, Adam(Chelsea)Greene, Andrew Greene, Austin(Liz) Greene; Tailyr(Matt)Wenger, Brandon Negri; Christopher Lewis, Brittany(Ben)Irmen, Sean(Jordan)Finley, and all the great-grands…Piper,Camarie,Sophia,Grayson,Olivia and Logan Irman; Ella, Emily, Ethan Greene; Braelyn, Tempie, Makenna and Everleigh Greene; Paisley and Levi Greene; Kellan Negri; Jack Finley; as well as two new babies she’d not get to know.
Our mom’s life was blessed with wonderful friends. She was a people person, who never met a stranger.
After moving to Rockford, Illinois, in 1966, Kathy, worked for 20 years at Domino Liquors. She later would purchase that business and it became Kathy’s Liquors. In 1987, Kathy moved to Minnesota, and worked in a few different customer service oriented job settings, before finding her most fulfilling and rewarding job as a “bus monitor” with First Student. She was so proud to be the first one at work in the morning, preparing coffee for the drivers, who would later miss that warm touch, when she retired finally, in 2018, at 79 years young.
Mom enjoyed vacationing, especially to the “up north” country, to be with her special big sister Mary. In later years, we were able to take a couple “girl” trips, to Florida, and Northern Wis. She loved getting out with her family, as well as going to the “cabin”, with special friends from work.
Kathleen is predeceased by her parents; 3 sisters; 4 brothers, and her partner, Bill Gardner.
She will be fondly remembered by many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, as “Kats”.
As well, her new friends on Oahu,(so many in such a short time) will remember her kind smile and love shown. She embraced “aloha”.
As per her wishes, cremation will take place. We will be notifying family and friends of the details of a celebration of life, to be held in Hawaii, as well as in Stillwater, MN.
Aloha, Oe…. Until we meet again
Due to the travel restrictions in place in March, followed by a brief hospital stay in April, Kathy would make the hard decision to stay in Hawaii. It wasn’t easy to leave all she knew and loved in Minnesota, but, following Doctor's advice not to live alone, she knew it was for the best.
After another brief hospital stay, Kathy decided to move on to another “paradise”. Our beloved Mother; Grandmother; Great-Grandmother; Auntie; and friend, passed on to her final resting place, December 6, 2020.
Kathleen was born on September 15, 1939, in Bessemer, Michigan, to Frank and Mary Palovich. The youngest of 8 children, Kathleen was adored by her parents, particularly her father, whom as she boasted, “gave her whatever she wanted”. She married Dominic Negri in 1958, and became a sailor’s wife, moving far away to Norfolk, Virginia.
Kathleen is survived by her three children, Jodie(Michael)Greene, Ewa Beach, HI.; Jeff(Dana)Negri, Rockford, Illinois; and Sheila(Tony)Finley,Geneseo, Illinois. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she loved them deeply. She will be missed by them all… Amanda(Daniel)Kinner, Aaron Greene, Adam(Chelsea)Greene, Andrew Greene, Austin(Liz) Greene; Tailyr(Matt)Wenger, Brandon Negri; Christopher Lewis, Brittany(Ben)Irmen, Sean(Jordan)Finley, and all the great-grands…Piper,Camarie,Sophia,Grayson,Olivia and Logan Irman; Ella, Emily, Ethan Greene; Braelyn, Tempie, Makenna and Everleigh Greene; Paisley and Levi Greene; Kellan Negri; Jack Finley; as well as two new babies she’d not get to know.
Our mom’s life was blessed with wonderful friends. She was a people person, who never met a stranger.
After moving to Rockford, Illinois, in 1966, Kathy, worked for 20 years at Domino Liquors. She later would purchase that business and it became Kathy’s Liquors. In 1987, Kathy moved to Minnesota, and worked in a few different customer service oriented job settings, before finding her most fulfilling and rewarding job as a “bus monitor” with First Student. She was so proud to be the first one at work in the morning, preparing coffee for the drivers, who would later miss that warm touch, when she retired finally, in 2018, at 79 years young.
Mom enjoyed vacationing, especially to the “up north” country, to be with her special big sister Mary. In later years, we were able to take a couple “girl” trips, to Florida, and Northern Wis. She loved getting out with her family, as well as going to the “cabin”, with special friends from work.
Kathleen is predeceased by her parents; 3 sisters; 4 brothers, and her partner, Bill Gardner.
She will be fondly remembered by many Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins, as “Kats”.
As well, her new friends on Oahu,(so many in such a short time) will remember her kind smile and love shown. She embraced “aloha”.
As per her wishes, cremation will take place. We will be notifying family and friends of the details of a celebration of life, to be held in Hawaii, as well as in Stillwater, MN.
Aloha, Oe…. Until we meet again