Obituaries/Kathleen Riolo

Kathleen Riolo

April 11, 1946
December 28, 2024
Age 78

    "Our beloved Wife and Mother Kathleen Ann Van Dusen Riolo has passed to her soul family on December 28, 2024. Augustine, her husband of 56 years, was at her side on her passing.

    Kathy was born of Ralph and Ruth Van Dusen and raised in Vestal, New York, graduating in 1964 from Vestal Central High School, and thereafter began her driving passions of high fashion, home decorating and European art that she pursued throughout her life. From Elizabeth Arden in Washington, to Burts of Endicott, she was dedicated to participating in the history and trends of fashion and design. She was an avid reader devouring both a broad range of books and fashion/design magazines every day. A Francophile at heart, she extensively traveled Europe, especially Paris and Rome, visited every major European museum and enjoyed the culture of her broad European ancestry. Her palate was decisively French/Italian in food and wine. In all her endeavors, her highest calling was as a devoted Mother/Matriarch to her Family.

    She is survived by her Husband Augustine, Daughter Angela and Grandson Anthony of Fredericksburg, VA. Her Siblings Mary Ann Van Dusen Coughlin of Johnson City, NY, Nancy Van Dusen Domoff of New Milford, CT, Dennis Van Dusen of Scottsdale, AZ and numerous Nieces and Nephews, all of whom she loved and impacted throughout her life."

Tribute Wall

Kathy changed the course of my life, when she coaxed me into her car one summer night and introduced me to my future husband. My memories of her are filled with joy, kindness and laughter. She was one of a kind...a true gem.
- Angela, her early friend

Boy and girl meet, they like what they see, so they decide to give it a go -- and they do -- for 56 years. What a lovely, pure, and true love story. I feel a twinge of envy -- no, Gus, not because I was desirous of Kathleen, but because I did not achieve what you did -- to love a girl enough so as to make her love me as much in return. Well, as the guy says at the end of the movie, "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din."
- Michael Coleman