Palatine Resident Celebrates 100th Birthday

A party was held on December 8 in honor of Kay DiMarco, and was attended by more than 60 relatives and friends as well as the Little Sisters of the Poor, who so lovingly care for Kay at St. Joseph’s Home.

Born in Mason City, Iowa, Kay enjoyed a very active life there until 2010, when she relinquished her independence and moved to Palatine to be closer to her daughter and other relatives in the area.  

After attending Sacred Heart School in Dubuque and teaching shorthand, Kay developed a successful career as a seamstress.  Among her many sewing accomplishments are producing costumes for one of “The Music Man” events in Mason City, costumes for local community theatrical presentations, countless “one of a kind” fashions for residents of her hometown as well as vestments for the local clergy.

Kay “retired” as a seamstress but continued to stay active by volunteering for numerous organizations in Mason City including Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Holy Family Catholic Circle, Catholic Order of Foresters, Foster Grandparent Program for the elementary school, and Mercy Medical Center where she has logged over 6500 hours of volunteer work over the years. And until she moved away in 2010, Kay would make a frittata breakfast for the 48 residents at Grant Village one morning a month.

Being a twin and one of 7 children born to Italian parents in Mason City, Iowa, Kay understood what it meant to be resourceful.  Every summer, she would produce over 100 jars of fruits and vegetables that were grown from her own garden.

She excelled as a cook and seamstress, was an avid reader and wife to Jim for 45 years.  Together they raised five children.  In addition, Kay is the grandmother to 24, great grandmother to 46, and great-great grandmother to 23, as well as Aunt to many.  

Information submitted by Deborah Armstrong, granddaughter of Kay DiMarco.