Katherine Marie Neilson
April 25, 1936 - January 5, 2021
SAN DIEGO
Our mother, Katherine, joined our father, Carl, in heaven on January 5, 2021. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, while her family immigrated from Italy to America. After high school, she met and married her beloved Carl (a handsome Air Force man). In 1969, the family relocated to San Diego, CA, to raise their three children, Kathleen, Eddie, and Lisa. Katherine's greatest passions were her family, decorating, bridge, volunteering at Kaiser Hospital (40 years), and her Eucharistic Ministry at St Therese.
She also loved sports and never missed her grandson Jason's baseball games and was so proud when Jason and Jessica were able to give her a great-granddaughter, Hailey.She was preceded in death by her husband Carl, her parents, brother, Dominic Strangio, grandson, Brandon Neilson. She is survived by her children, Kathleen Neilson Soto (Rafael), Lisa Smith, William Neilson (Brenda Varner); grandchildren, Jason, Nate, Cassie, Corie; great-granddaughters, Destiny and Hailey; brother, Frank Strangio; her nieces, Linda (Lars) and Susan, and many many friends.Mom, we will miss your spaghetti, Vegas, and the shopping. Give dad hugs. Funeral services are private at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Published in San Diego Union-Tribune on Jan. 10, 2021.