Kathleen J. (Kelly) Caito

Kathleen J. (Kelly) Caito, 75, longtime Indianapolis resident and Cincinnati native, passed away peacefully at her home following a brief illness, with her loving family surrounding her. Kathy was born September 16, 1947, in Mariemont, Ohio, and entered into eternal rest on September 30, 2022. She was preceded in death by her father at a young age, Leslie Kelly, and her mother, with whom she had a very close relationship, Ruth (Sullivan) Kelly. Kathy, a proud Irish girl, met Joe Caito, a Xavier Musketeer from Indianapolis, when she was 18 years old. The two married on October 19, 1968 at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Milford, Ohio, and created a beautiful life and family together.

Kathy graduated from Mariemont High School in 1965. When she and Joe married in 1968, she loved her position as a supportive and loving wife in Indianapolis, where Joe began building a family produce business with his brother. Kathy remained Joe’s strongest business supporter, often behind the scenes, as daughters Kelly, Carrie, Laura, and Emily arrived to create the Caito Family that is known and loved by so many. Kathy was always active in the girls’ school at St. Lawrence as a CYO coach, PTO leader, essentially any task asked of her. Similar volunteering activities soon followed Kathy to her beloved Cathedral High School, where she was active in the Mothers’ Club, Shamrauction, and on the sidelines of literally hundreds of sporting events, where she cheered on her daughters and grandchildren until just weeks ago.

In addition to St. Lawrence, Kathy was more recently a loyal member of St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church. She had served for many years on the CYO Board of Directors and the sports committee for CYO. She was awarded the Msgr. Albert Busald Award by the CYO in 1994.

The Indianapolis Catholic community has truly lost a pillar of the community. If there was a family in need, a volunteering position to be filled, a person to call for any help whatsoever, Kathy Caito was the person to call. She was dependable, determined, and committed to support her community.

Kathy was a huge supporter of and active in many children’s lives growing up, not just her own. She was the parent who served as the private confidante and counselor to her children’s friends. Her wisdom and incredible optimism which often took shape in the form of wise cliches will be forever cherished by many. “The best is yet to come” was often spoken from Kathy’s lips – with her huge smile and encouragement behind it.

Kathy lived life to the absolute fullest and never did anything with less than 100% of her energy and attention. She was a talented crafter – creating countless gifts made with all of her love for friends and family. She was a talented cross-stitcher, knitter, scrapbooker, and seamstress. Kathy had a great appreciation for the arts and also loved to express her creativity through painting and drawing in her free time. She loved to travel and created wonderful memories for her family and friends of her strong appreciation for tradition. Events like the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race where she would always prepare food and drink for the attendees, an over-the-top Christmas party, an annual Kelly reunion around Memorial Day in Indianapolis, and Christmas morning for family, are just a few of the recurring events that Kathy did quite well. She also had a strong appreciation for Broadway Theater and never turned down an opportunity to host family and friends for a meal. Simply put, Kathy was a beyond gracious and generous hostess.

Kathy’s love for Joe, the girls, and their husbands, who truly became Kathy’s sons, when each of them married, was strong and unconditional. The role she played as Ama to her twelve grandchildren was second to none. Kathy’s life as Ama appeared complete as she nurtured and loved each for their talents and uniqueness. She could cheer louder than nearly anyone at sporting events, but was somehow able to become even more boisterous when cheering for her own grandchildren!

Kathy is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Joseph A. Caito; daughters, Kelly (Bob) Kirch, Carrie (David) Frizzell, Laura (Matt Jefferson) Caito, and Emily (Tommy) Caito-Yeadon; siblings, Mary Frances “Francie” (Rocky) Kelly-Miller, Irene “Renie” Kelly, Timothy Kelly, Patricia (Kevin) Murray, Janet (Scott) DuBois, and Michael Kelly; grandchildren, Robert, George, Nina, and Oscar Kirch; Charlotte, Samantha, and Joseph Frizzell; Max, Beatrice, and Jolie Caito-Jefferson; Emry and Lila Yeadon; and many nieces and nephews.

Kathy Caito left everyone better. And as Kathy would say, “Take care of you for me.”

Kathy’s Life Celebration® Visitation and Funeral Mass will be held at St. Simon the Apostle Catholic Church, 8155 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, IN 46236. The visitation will be on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, from 4 to 8 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10 a.m., Thursday, October 6, 2022. Entombment will follow at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church. While Kathy loved flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any one of the charities that Kathy enjoyed supporting: Cathedral High School, Catholic Youth Organization, or to the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the Caito Family. Visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.