Obituary of Kathleen Marie Monti

Age 59, of Pittsburgh, on June 1, 2017. Beloved wife of Medio Monti; loving mother of Natalie Monti of New York, NY, Lia Monti / fiancé Michael Robinson of Brooklyn, NY, and Julia Monti of New York, NY; cherished sister of Thomas Hickey of Pittsburgh, PA and James Hickey of Beaver, PA; also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Kathy was a city girl, born and raised on the North Side. She graduated from North Catholic High School in 1975. A standout guard and team captain of North Catholic’s first women’s basketball program, Kathy and her teammates began a women’s basketball dynasty, which is alive and well today. Following high school, Kathy played college basketball at California State College where she again was a team captain and leader. She majored in Special Education in college, however the North Catholic Director of Athletics Don Graham convinced her to come back to North as the Assistant Director of Athletics, and Assistant Basketball Coach for the women’s team. With her mentor and friend coach Don Barth, Kathy helped guide the Trojanettes to multiple state championships. In 1985, she married her true love Medio, a U.S. Marine who she met at North Catholic in 1973. Kathy taught Special Education in the Department of Defense Schools and was also the head women’s basketball coach for Camp Lejeune High School. Her life changed again with the birth of daughters Natalie, Lia and Julia, and she became a full-time mom. Kathy easily adapted to military life, and was adored and respected by the many friends she made along the journey. With a life that required 12 moves in 28 years, including 2 moves overseas, Kathy’s sense of adventure, spirituality, and limitless love turned even the most austere locations into a loving home. In 2013, Kathy returned home to the city and friends that she loved most. She entered the workforce again with Pittsburgh Mercy Services working with adults with special needs. She also volunteered her time at the new Cardinal Wuerl North Catholic, the school that enriched her life so greatly and that she continued to love dearly to her last breath. Kathy was voted unanimously as a 2017 inductee into the North Catholic Hall of Fame. As one friend said “Kathy Monti would fill the air with swirls of words, laughter, and chaos that would leave us all energized after the experience.” Her warm smile, plucky outgoing personality, and selfless devotion to God, family, and friends will be long remembered and greatly missed. Family and friends received on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-9 PM at the Warchol Funeral Home Inc., 3060 Washington Pike, Bridgeville (412.221.3333). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 9:30 AM at Holy Child Parish, Bridgeville.