Katherine Ann “Kathy” Koch Grisanti Louisville – Katherine Ann “Kathy” Koch Grisanti was born on August 31, 1957 in Salina, Kansas. In April of 2016, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma, which she fought for nearly three years before passing away on January 11, 2019. She died peacefully at home in Louisville, surrounded by family.
She was 61. Kathy was a graduate of St. Raphael School, Assumption High School, and the University of Kentucky. She received her master’s degree in education from the University of Louisville and spent her 35-year career in the Archdiocese of Louisville.
She taught elementary and middle school at St. Paul, St. Elizabeth, St. Gabriel, St. Edward, St. Barnabas, and Ascension. After retiring, Kathy volunteered at Kentucky Refugee Ministries and Community Catholic. Kathy was exceedingly humble about her professional achievements, but let it be known that she was a gentle, devoted, and beloved educator.
Her own children can attest that whenever they meet one of their mom’s former students, they hear the same refrain: “Mrs. Grisanti was my favorite teacher! ” Kathy’s spirit of generosity extended from her classroom into her home. The old house on Foxy Poise was the site of many a sleepover, cookout, holiday party, and impromptu gathering.
Kathy loved UK sports, John Denver, the Carpenters, Bjorn Borg, and the soothing predictability of a Hallmark movie. She excelled at tennis, the Jumble, and explaining Punnett squares. She had many circles of friends—her Alpha Gam sisters, the Frankfort girls, the Lexington girls, Dinner Club, the St. Barnabas group, the Ascension crew, old neighbors from St. Regis Park, and new neighbors from Indian Hills.
And her social sphere just kept growing! After her diagnosis, she was blessed, in rapid succession, with four precious grandchildren. She spent her final years watching them grow from cooing babies into energetic toddlers who all adored their Gigi.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Sallie O’Bryan Koch and Joe Koch; her father-in-law, Ferd Grisanti; and her grandparents, including the long-lived Evelyn Downs Koch. She is survived by her beloved husband, Paul, with whom she shared countless laughs; three children, Diana (Steve Moulds), Nick (Anne Marie), and Joseph (Katherine); four grandchildren, Victor, Francis, Evelyn, and Sallie; three brothers, Mike (Joanna), David (Lynne), and John (Leigh Ann); mother-in-law, Joan Grisanti; many brothers- and sisters-in-law on the Grisanti side; dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, friends, and a huge extended family. During Kathy’s illness, hardly an hour went by without someone dropping in for a visit.
Her sister-in-law Joanna came over daily, usually bearing baked goods. Other frequent visitors included her brothers, in-laws, her best friend Donna Ford, her cousin Maureen O’Bryan, and the lunch bunch—Susie, Mary Catherine, Carol, and Jane. There’s no doubt that Kathy’s life was marked by love, laughter, a close-knit family, and loyal friends.
Thanks to Hosparus, the Norton Cancer Center and to all of the wonderful caregivers. Visitation will be from 2:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 17 at Ratterman Funeral Home, 3711 Lexington Road. Her funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Friday, January 18 at St. Albert the Great, 1395 Girard Drive, with burial at Calvary Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to Ascension Catholic Church, St. Albert the Great, or Community Catholic. Online condolences may be left at www. ratterman.com.
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