Katharine Colangelo, 78, of Fishkill, died on April 13 after a long illness.

“Katie,” originally an Irish-Catholic girl from the Bronx, moved to the mid-Hudson region in 1960 with her beloved husband, Phil, and the start on a spirited, entertaining brood that would eventually number five. She was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Fishkill, and worked as a licensed practical nurse at the former Julia L. Butterfield Hospital in Cold Spring and Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville after her husband’s death in 1987. She was also a proud member of the Civil Service Employees Association.

Fearless as always, Katie maintained her sense of humor in the face of eternity. “Listen Phil,” she whispered a week before the end, “play these six numbers in the Lotto drawing immediately following my death. If I pick up any cosmic powers over pingpong balls, I’ve got your back. Remember, though, you’ve got to split it five ways.”
“Sure thing, Mom. Wow, wouldn’t that be sweet. But what about Dad?”
“Oh yeah, first I have to find him. So play these numbers for the next five Lotto drawings. It’ll give me a chance to scope out the place.”
“Got it. OK, head-to-head showdown, iPad Solitaire, Vegas style, best hand wins that cannoli.”

Katie is survived by the aforementioned brood, Pamela of Cold Spring; Philip of Fishkill; Richard of New Paltz; Gloria of Basking Ridge, N.J.; and Paul of New York City; as well as nine outstanding grandchildren, Zak, Clea, Emma, Allyson, Amalia, Rachel, Graeme, Philip and Lance.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, April 20 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, 106 Jackson Street, Fishkill. Burial will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery, next to her beloved husband.