Caterina Blando, 98, was born August 15, 1915 in Aspra, Sicily, and passed away Tuesday, August 20, 2013 with her family at her side.

Caterina immigrated to the United States in 1955 with her husband Antonino and three children. A fourth child was born in Kansas City in 1956. She worked for Brand & Puritz for 20 years as a seamstress, and was a member of Holy Cross Parish where she was active with the Altar & Rosary Society and the Northeast Catholic Charities Senior Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Antonino Blando; and her 2-year-old grandson, Tony.

She leaves her children, Emanuel Blando and wife Dorothy, Maria Donahue and husband Jim, Salvatore Blando, John Blando and wife Denise; her grandchildren, Lucia and John Wiser, Lisa and Jeff Szablewski, Caterina and Wade Shipley, Catrina and Michael Richards, Virginia and Chris Hogan; and nine great-grandchildren, Sabrina, Ethan, Marissa, Nina, Micaela, Melaina, Michael, Anna, and Jack.

Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Saturday, August 24, at Nativity of Mary Catholic Church, 10017 E. 36th Terr., Independence, MO 64052, where the Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mt. Saint Mary's Cemetery. Condolences may be offered at www.passantinobros.com