Kathleen Marie Amato

Kathy (Lewis) Amato, aged 77, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. A resident of North Oaks, Minnesota, Kathy was a remarkably classy lady whose warmth, elegance, and vibrant spirit left an indelible mark on everyone she met. If you met Kathy, you instantly became her friend.

Born on New Year's Day, January 1st, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kathy was the daughter of the late Robert and Marie Lewis. She grew up in Philly and attended Frankford High School, where destiny stepped in and she met the absolute love of her life, Michael Amato. The high school sweethearts married and built a beautiful life together, full of love, laughter, and adventure. Her deep faith in God shone beautifully through the way she lived her life and treated everyone around her.

Kathy and Mike traveled extensively, exploring the world hand-in-hand. Their corporate and life journeys took them to New Jersey and South Carolina before they ultimately settled in North Oaks, Minnesota. No matter where they lived, Kathy's heart remained tied to her roots; they always returned home to Philadelphia for the holidays and spent their winters in the sun at their condo in Scottsdale, Arizona where they had a wide circle of friends.

Professionally, Kathy was a highly successful insurance agent. Her clients didn't just respect her; they adored and appreciated her for her amazing service, dedication, and personal touch. Deeply committed to her community, she was also a proud and active member of the North Oaks Children's Hospital Guild.

Kathy was a woman who truly knew how to enjoy life. She was a self-proclaimed "power shopper" and loved nothing more than dining out with her family and friends. Whether she was enjoying a cold beer, a fine glass of wine with the "Grape Sisters," or indulging her legendary sweet tooth with desserts, chocolates, and ice cream, her enthusiasm for life was infectious.

In her later years, as Parkinson's disease progressed, Kathy was cared for by the compassionate staff at Waverly Gardens in North Oaks for two years, and spent her final year and a half at North Oaks Memory Care.

Kathy was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Michael, and her parents, Robert and Marie Lewis.

She is survived by her loving brother, Robert Rex Lewis and wife Beverly; her devoted in-laws, David and Lisa Amato, and Tina Amato; her cherished godson, Matthew Hannigan; and several nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of loving friends who will miss her dearly.

A joint celebration of life for both Kathy and her husband, Mike Amato, will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

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