Kathryn 'Kay' (Greco) Viano, 85
Kathryn "Kay" (Greco) Viano, 85, died on Monday, June 11, 2007, surrounded by her family at Brendan House in Kalispell. She was born on Oct. 6, 1921, in Whitefish. She was 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.
Kay 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."
"You were the soul of our family, grandma. We all loved you deeply and we will never stop missing you."
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, and three sisters. She is survived by her husband, Pete Viano, of Kalispell; two sons, Ron Viano and wife, Nancy, of Eagle, Idaho, and Larry Viano and wife, Cindy, of Kalispell; one daughter, Debbie Sprague, and husband, Mike, of Boise, Idaho; three brothers, Frank and LaVerne Greco of Phoenix, Angelo and Eleanor Greco, of Browning, and Orly Greco of Napa, Calif.; six 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; five 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 will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 16, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church with Father Vic Langhans celebrant. Burial will follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens. Visitation will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 15, with a rosary being said at 10 a.m. Friday morning, both at Johnson's Mortuary Chapel.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullen Road, Suite 105, Missoula, MT 59808; or Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Rocky Mountain Chapter P.O. Box 102705 Denver, CO 80250.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for Kay's family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign Kay's guest book.