Catherine "Katie" J. Bono, 91, died Tuesday, April 3, 2012, at 9:25AM at Eunice Smith Nursing Home. Born on July 7, 1920, in Alton, IL, she was the eldest daughter of Anthony and Rose (Romano) Bono.
Katie's family meant everything to her. In her early teens, when her father became gravely ill with leukemia, she quit school to help her brothers, Nick and Frank, support their mother and younger sisters. Her jobs included working at Portnoy Garment Factory and Owens Illinois before getting a job with Kroger. Despite having only an 8th grade education, she was promoted over time to head cashier, which entailed many responsibilities. In that position, she became a highly recognizable figure, with her dark hair and striking grey streak. She was highly regarded by managers and coworkers for the excellence she displayed at her job, her skill and fairness as a supervisor, and her tremendous work ethic. Katie was with Kroger close to 40 years before retiring in 1982.
Katie was an incredibly caring and devoted daughter who lived with and supported her mother her entire life. Though she never married, Katie treated her many nieces and nephews as if they were her own children. She would spend Tuesday, her only day off, with them. She loved travelling, especially to Hawaii, and visited there as often as possible. Katie was a wonderful cook. Nothing gave her greater pleasure than seeing her family enjoying the food she had so lovingly prepared. She enjoyed gardening and would use the vegetables she grew in her signature dishes or the herbs such as mint to season her spaghetti sauce. She was an avid bowler and liked working crossword puzzles. She enjoyed playing cards – especially canasta and rummy – and Bingo in her later years while living at Glenhaven Gardens which she loved.
Over the years, Katie cared for several of her family members as the need arose. When her youngest sister, Marie, became acutely ill with meningitis, without hesitation or concern for her own well being, Katie stayed in the hospital isolation room for 33 days. Not once did she leave until her sister miraculously recovered and was discharged home. Always putting others above herself, she was a shining example of selfless, unconditional love to her nieces and nephews who cherished and adored her.
Katie was a devout Catholic and lifelong member of St. Mary's Church. She also had a special place in her heart for St. Jude, patron of hopeless causes.
She is survived by sisters Ann Dipazo of Alton and Marie Bartels and husband Ken of Frisco, Texas.
Katie is survived by nieces and nephews: Sam (Jo) Bono, Rosanne and Tony Bono, Aug (Lois) Dipazo, Paula (Kevin) Eddington, Carol Dipazo (and special friend Jack Blair), Rosemary (Dan) Meyer, Diana (Daryl) Slaughter, Roberta (Jerry) Allen, David (Andi) Dipazo, and Kevin (Kari) Bartels.
In addition, she is survived by great nieces and nephews: Rick Bono, Debbie (Jim) Waldrop, Nicole and Grace Bono, Katie (Steve) Feger, Laura and Brian Eddington, Lindsey and Lauren Meyer, Katie and Kimmi Slaughter, Chris (Vanessa) Allen, Aaron Allen, Drew Dipazo, Macy and Tori Bartels & great-great grand nephew Logan Feger.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Nick and Frank, sister-in-law Grace Bono, and brother-in-law Anthony Dipazo.
Visitation will be from 5-8PM Monday, April 9, 2012 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10AM Tuesday April 10, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to St. Mary's for masses.


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