Kathleen Duggan Albano

1934 - 2023

Kathleen Duggan Albano (Katie), age 88, of Delray Beach, FL passed away on January 26, 2023 at Trustbridge Hospice in Delray Medical Center with her family by her side.

Katie was born on February 2, 1934, at St Mary's Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, to Joseph and Margaret (Kealy) Duggan. Her Irish-Catholic family included two older sisters, Margaret and Mary, and her younger brother, Joseph.

After high school, Katie worked at Bell Telephone and later as an executive secretary on Wall Street at Dominick & Dominick. She was introduced to the love of her life, Joseph Albano, by their best friends, and their love story began. They married in 1957, settling in Staten Island and becoming parents to Anne Marie, Joanne, and Joseph.

When the family moved to Pompano Beach, FL in 1970, Katie accepted a position in the title insurance industry. With the encouragement, support, and partnership of colleagues in law and finance, in 1976 Katie started East Coast Title & Escrow Corp, a title insurance company for which she served as President and worked to build the business to serve home buyers and sellers for over two decades.

At home, it wasn't unusual for unexpected guests to show up at the holidays, spring breaks, and on macaroni Sundays, whether invited by her kids or her nephews. Katie's typical response was to throw in some more pasta and set a few more places at the table, as all were welcome.

Katie and Joe shared an unwavering love and devotion to each other. Katie was fiercely supportive of her kids; she was their greatest champion. But her true joy came in her role as Nana; her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the light of her life. She enjoyed every moment spent in their company as well as the FaceTime calls which allowed her to see and hear them when she couldn't be near.

Preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Margaret Duggan, and her brother, Joseph Duggan, Katie is survived by her loving husband of almost 66 years, Joseph J. Albano; children: Anne Marie Albano (Mark Olfson) of Brooklyn, NY, Joanne (Matt) Field of Bloomington, MN, and Joseph (Janine) Albano of Delray Beach, FL; sisters: Margaret Buss of Gilbert, AZ and Mary Franco of Delray Beach, FL; grandchildren: Emily Olfson (Andrew Loza) of New Haven, CT; Rachel Olfson (Oren Gal) of Boston, MA; Andrew (Ashley) Saaranen of Lakeville, MN; Erin Saaranen of Eden Prairie, MN; Matthew Saaranen (Elizete Diaz) of Bloomington, MN; Emily (Jacob) Orvis of Prior Lake, MN; Abigale (Peter) Bather of Plymouth, MN; Jacqueline Albano of Pompano Beach, FL; Lauren Albano and Christopher Albano of Delray Beach, FL; great grandchildren: Elizabeth and Oliver Loza; Georgia, Charles, Sophie, and Cooper Saaranen; Theodore Orvis; and so many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation Sunday, February 5, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Kraeer Funeral Home, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064. A celebration of life will occur Monday, February 6, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at St. Coleman Catholic Church, 1200 S. Federal Hwy., Pompano Beach, FL 33062. A committal service will occur Monday, February 6, 2023 from 12:30 PM to 1:00 PM at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 200 West Copans Road, Pompano Beach, FL 33064.

The family welcomes donations to the Trustbridge Hospice in Delray Medical Center or the JFK Presidential Library as an expression of sympathy.