Katherine (Albertson) Aiello

Katherine (Katie) Aiello has graduated to heaven, passing peacefully at her home in Arnold, California in the early morning hours of April 23rd. She was fortunate to be in the company of several members of her extended family in the hours before her passing, and in the company of her husband (Joe) and son (Pete) when she passed.

Katie was born in Helena, Montana unto Forrest (Al) and Dorothy Albertson. Her family lived in several different places in the ensuing years as her father was a civilian contractor working for the United States military, and she was privileged to see many places in the world most of us will never get to see. She ended up in Palo Alto, California and graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1966. A few years later, she attended Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo, California. It was there that a friend of hers, Jan Garrod, introduced her to a young man by the name of Joe Aiello in 1970.

Joe and Katie were married on September 30, 1972. Thus began a lifelong partnership that saw more than its fair share of tests - and it survived every single one of them. She gave birth to two sons (Peter and Michael), helped her husband start and run a farming business, and most importantly, she made sure the family and the home were taken care of.

Katie was an accomplished writer and artist, which is plainly evident in the journals and baby books she kept for several years during her sons' early childhood. Some say she may have missed her calling by opting to be a farmer and homemaker instead, but she derived a lot of pleasure and took a lot of pride in growing a crop and a family. And she was really good at both.

While Katie was known to step on a toe or two, she was passionate, loving, honest and loyal. Her family and friends always knew where they stood with her and she never minced words. If you wanted an honest, straight-up assessment, Katie would give it to you. She was a rare breed in that regard, and they don't make many like her anymore. She will be missed.

Katie is survived by her husband Joe, her son Pete (Tami), her brothers Chuck (Sue) and Butch (Nancy), and her grandchildren Kayla, Michael and Claire. May they all have the love, strength and dedication to honor her legacy.

A celebration of Katie's life will take place on Saturday, June 4th 2-5pm at the Guglielmo Winery in Morgan Hill. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family humbly requests consideration of a donation to the Michael Aiello Memorial Agricultural Scholarship Fund, a non-profit organization co-founded and co-managed by Katie in honor of her late son Michael and his dedication to the family business.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch, Morgan Hill Times and Hollister Free Lance · May 3, 2022