Katherine (Landa) Tolerico, 95

Katherine "Kay" Tolerico, of Post Falls, Idaho, died March 13, 2015, at the Hospice House.

The youngest of three children, Kay was born in Franklin, Pa., to Metro and Dora (Senchak) Landa on July 3, 1919. Dora passed away when Kay was only 2 months old. The family moved to Clifton, N.J., when she was young and due to family hardships Kay only completed the eighth grade. Who knew that's all she needed?

In her late 20s Kay met the man of her dreams, John Frederick Tolerico, while working at Curtis Wright Aerospace and they were married on June 28, 1947. They lived in Oakland, N.J., and Kay always said that living there were the happiest years of her life. They had four children: John Tolerico of Paterson, N.J., (wife Rene), Kenneth Tolerico, formerly of Garden Grove, Calif., (deceased Aug. 22, 2013), Gary Tolerico of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (wife Joan), and Patricia Tolerico Retano of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (husband Steve).

Kay's husband died in 1967 and by 1970 she decided to move to Margate, Fla., where her husband, John, had wanted to move. She lived there until 1979, and then followed her children to southern California. Kay spent the next 30 years living in Garden Grove by her son, Kenneth, until his death in August 2013. She then moved to Coeur d'Alene to be with her other two children.

Kay was a very proud and independent woman. If she couldn't do it on her own, then she wasn't doing it at all. She was an avid crocheter, making beautiful things for all the family. She loved to cook, and would look forward to the holidays so she could make her special dishes and try many new ones.

Kay was good at keeping up with what was going on with each person in her family. She taught us the real meaning of what was important ... spending time with family. She was always there to lend a helping hand or an encouraging word. Her outlook on life was always positive, no matter what came her way.

Kay also maintained a relationship until she passed with her kindergarten best friend, Irene Hildebrandt, of Eugene, Ore. They were friends for 90 years.

We will miss "Ma" very much. She taught us the meaning of the saying, "For a happy life, want what you have," and also, "Take time, make time, there may not be another time."

Kay leaves behind three children, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She will be laid to rest at St. Michael's Cemetery in Lodi, N.J., next to her husband, John.

Yates Funeral Home is entrusted with the care of her arrangements, and you may visit Kay's online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.