Kathleen Mary Giacinto

Kathleen Mary (Connolley) Giacinto, 86 passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 18th, 2026, at Pleasant View in Ottawa, Illinois, after a long illness.

Kathy was born on March 29th, 1939, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Aurora, Illinois to Charles and Bernice Connolley and has resided in Streator Illinois for the past 32 years.

Surviving is her four daughters Kim (Craig) Houser of Florida, Sue (Leonard) Lawson of North Carolina, Wendy (George) Shafer of Michigan, and Holly (Doug) Lautwein of Streator, 10 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her parents Charles & Bernice (Howard) Connolley of Aurora, Illinois, her Grandparents, Aunts & Uncles, her spouse Sam Giacinto (Streator), her grandson Jeremie Maseman (Palatine), son-in-law Craig Houser (Florida).

Kathy grew up in Batavia & Aurora Illinois and graduated from Madonna Catholic High School in Aurora, Illinois. She was member of St. Theresa and St. Mary’s Catholic Churches, in Aurora, Illinois until moving to Streator, Illinois where she attended both St. Stephens and St. Mary’s Catholic Churches. She was a homemaker but did work as a window designer for Carson Prairie Scott in Aurora, Illinois and was commissioned to paint a wall mural for the city of Aurora, Illinois. She was a talented artist, working with all mediums, a poet, an avid storyteller, a crafter, and loved being with her children and grandchildren. She also loved reading and playing Scrabble and Boggle.

Kathy met and married Sam Giacinto later in life in Streator, Illinois and thought the world of Sam.

There will be a small graveside service at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Streator, Illinois on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, for both Kathleen and Sam Giacinto and a small celebration of life afterward.

Kathleen was deeply loved by her children, grandchildren and family.