Kathleen Stephanie Kopps Rigali

Kathleen Stephanie Kopps Rigali, "Katrina", age 62, passed away in her Chicago home on August 16, 2025. She was born September 21, 1962 in Milwaukee, WI and traveled the globe both as a United Airlines flight attendant as well as with her friends and family for adventure and fun. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and earned her Master of Teaching degree from National Louis University. She was an elementary school teacher for Chicago public schools before becoming a mother at the age of 45 to the joy of her life, Isabella. One of several nicknames bestowed on her was "Chatty Kathy" for her penchant to weave long, winding, detailed stories, as well as equally long voice mails to friends and family. Sometime around junior high she acquired another nickname given to her by her sister Karen, as "Katrina the Ballerina" for her love of movement and dance. The moniker would remain as her preferred name for the rest of her life. Katrina loved to play tennis, ride bikes, garden, explore new places, and share any time with her family and friends.

Katrina was loving, kind, intelligent, playful, non-judgmental, spontaneous and tenaciously loyal, protective and supportive of those she cared about. Once you have earned her trust, you could count on Katrina to be a devoted friend for life. She had an authentic and deeply magnificent spirit. Her smile and laugh were memorable for their beauty and uniqueness, and she possessed so many alluring looks that she was able to communicate subtle (or not) messages with just a minor tweak of her expression. She had a generous, helpful heart of gold and loved to decorate and organize while striving for perfection to please those she loved.

Family and friends were always paramount to Katrina, as she made it a point to visit and host friends and family often and always remained enthusiastic about holidays (Halloween as her favorite), family parties, birthdays or last minute get togethers.

Katrina leaves a legacy of love and laughter and light, and is survived by her spouse, William Charles Rigali Jr. (Rigs), her children Isabella Kathleen, stepchildren Frankie Ostello and Alexandra Rigali, her sisters Karen Scott (Robert), Kimberly Best (James), Kristin Donnelly (Paul) and nieces and nephews Michael Scott (Hayley), Jack Scott, Sydney Best (Dylan Lingerak), Alexandria, Joe, Amelia.

Katrina was preceded in death by her parents Carl Kopps and Rosemarie, nee Chojnacki

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, PO Box 734985, Chicago, Illinois 60673-4985. Please make checks payable to "Northwestern Memorial Foundation" and include Kathleen Kopps Rigali in the memo line. Donations can also be made online at foundation.nm.org or over the phone at (833) 443-8663. Your gift will support lung and cancer research.

Visitation Thursday, September 11, 2025 from 4pm to 8pm at Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 3918 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago. Funeral Mass Friday, Sept. 12,2025 10:30am at St Mary of The Lake Catholic Church,4200 N Sheridan Road, Chicago. Arrangements by Midtown Funeral Home and Cremation Options, 773.654.3744, www.midtownfunerals.com