Kathryn Viano
Kathryn "Kay" (Greco) Viano, 85, died June 11, 2007, surrounded by her family at Brendan House in Kalispell.
She was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Whitefish, the second of seven children born to Dominico and Maria (Dostoli) Greco.
In 1919, Maria and Dominico settled in remote Fielding, where her dad was the section foreman for the Great Northern Railroad after coming to the United States from Italy.
The family lived in several Montana towns before moving to Whitefish, where Kay was born. Kay attended grade school in Coram and high school in Kalispell and Priest River, Idaho, where she graduated in 1939.
Kay attended Western Union School in Santa Cruz, Calif., and then returned to Kalispell to work for Montgomery Ward's and Equity Creamery before starting a 25-year career with Western Union. She retired from Western Union in 1965.
She married Peter "Pete" John Viano on Feb. 28, 1946, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. She and Pete had three children, Ron, Larry and Debbie.
Pete and Kay enjoyed many winters in Yuma, Ariz., with friends from the Flathead, as well as new friends from all over the U.S. and Canada. One of Kay's greatest joys was spending time with her family. She relished her roll as a grandma and loved nothing more than family gatherings. Plenty of good food was always available at the Viano house, too, because Kay was always planning "what to have for dinner."
Kay was preceded in death by her parents and three sisters.
She is survived by her husband, Pete Viano, of Kalispell; sons Ron Viano and wife Nancy, of Eagle, Idaho, and Larry Viano and wife Cindy, of Kalispell; daughter Debbie Sprague and husband Mike, of Boise, Idaho; brothers Frank Greco and wife LaVerne, of Phoenix, Angelo Greco and wife Eleanor, of Browning, and Orly Greco, of Napa, Calif.; grandchildren Jeff and Kate Viano, of Boise, James and Heather Viano, of West Jordon, Utah, Marci and Phil Davis, of Portland, Ore., Tim Viano, of Kalispell, Christopher Sprague, of Boise, Idaho, and Angela and Jesse Williams, of Boise; great grandchildren Owen, Liam, Gavin and Carys, of Boise, and Ryan Viano, of West Jordan; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.
Mass of Christian Burial took place June 16, 2007, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Kalispell, with Father Vic Langhans celebrant. Burial followed at Glacier Memorial Gardens.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Road, Suite 105, Missoula MT 59808; or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Rocky Mountain Chapter P.O. Box 102705 Denver CO 80250.