Katherine Mary Spada Basto

Katherine Mary Spada Basto, 64, beloved wife to Ronald Basto, of Portland, CT, entered into God’s care on Saturday, September 28, 2024. Kathy was born in Hartford and was the daughter of Nancy (Saunders) Spada of Hartford and the late Judge Arthur L. Spada.

Kathy graduated from South Catholic High School in 1978 and Wheelock College in 1982. She went on to receive her Masters Degree from University of Saint Joseph in Education, and was a Pimms Scholar at Wesleyan University.

She first started her professional teaching career in Johannesburg, South Africa. When she returned home, she was hired by Hartford Public Schools and served for 30 years as a Special Education teacher.

Upon retiring, she pursued a lifelong dream of becoming an author. The research for her books took her around the world. Ultimately her 3 books became award winning novels.

Kathy had a vast array of interests and passions including bird watching, animal activist, nature, pastel painting, UConn hoops, and The Rolling Stones. She also was an original member of the Circus Fire committee that resulted in the memorial that exists today in Hartford.

In addition to her beloved husband Ron and mother, Kathy is survived and will be sorely missed by her sister Kristen, brother Art, nephews Gifford, Cameron, and Quinn and nieces Sage and Anika. She will also be missed by her sister-in-laws Gail and Fay and niece Kim. She loved and adored her South Catholic Rebel classmates, West Hill Aquatic Camp lifelong friends (camp cheer here), Hartford Public School coworkers, and childhood friends.

The family invites relatives and friends for a time of visitation on Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Church Campus, 467 Quaker Lane South, West Hartford. Please meet the family directly in church. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The House of Bread, 1453 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06120