Kathleen E. Opalinski

Kathleen Elizabeth Opalinski was born in Chicago, Illinois on June 16, 1938, to Victor and Elsie Lyons. Kathy was the eldest of 4, having 3 younger brothers. She passed away peacefully at her home in Orlando, Florida on January 19, 2024, at the age of 85.

Kathy graduated from Proviso West High School in Melrose Park, Illinois after which she attended beauty school and began working as a hair stylist. She married Sam J. Scurto in 1959 and they began their family of 5 (highly active) boys. After divorcing in 1975, she began Nursing School and became reacquainted with the love of her life, Richard Opalinski. They married in 1977 and then became a blended family of 11, to include 8 boys and 1 girl. The family moved to Hancock, Wisconsin where she took a break from working as an LPN to care for her husband when he began having health issues. Following the premature death of her beloved Richard in 1994, she wanted to create a new chapter in her life to bring laughter and joy to others. She chose to go to Clown School in Wisconsin which she genuinely loved. Kathy was very active in bringing her "clowning skills" to church and civic events as well as elderly care facilities and private parties. This is where she found her true self as she loved making people happy and joyful. Kathy wanted her legacy to be remembered as a person who desired to be an encourager and lift up other people bringing joy to the world around her. Another of Kathy's passions was sewing. She was a talented seamstress making clothes for her family and anyone who needed her sewing skills. In her later years, Kathy enjoyed spending her summers in Wisconsin and her winters in Orlando, Florida.

Kathy is survived by her sons, Steven J. Scurto (Maureen Hogan) of Carol Stream, Illinois, Anthony J. Scurto (Deborah) of Hancock, Wisconsin, Raymond R. Scurto aka RayBob (Victoria) of Orlando, Florida, Sam Scurto (Yolanda) of Barrington Hills, Illinois and Douglas V. Scurto (Mary) of Arkdale, Wisconsin. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Lynn Opalinski of California, Richard Opalinski of Wisconsin, Tony Opalinski of Las Vegas, Nevada and Joey Opalinski of Indiana. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 2 great-granddaughters, 1 step granddaughter and her brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Diane Lyons, her Godson, Ricky, his brothers, Mark and David and several other nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Opalinski; her parents, Victor and Elsie Lyons and her two brothers, Jerry and Michael Lyons.

A viewing and family visitation will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2024, between 1:00PM and 3:00PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, 895 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL. Following the viewing/visitation, the family is hosting refreshments at Raymond and Victoria's home located at 6615 Beamer Way, Orlando, FL 32807.

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