Kathryn Mary DiGiacomo was born on March 12, 1920. She graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1938. While attending a USO Dance in Fort Sumner, New Mexico during World War II, she met John Fred Wortiska who was stationed there in the Army. They married on January 27, 1943, and began their life together – a life that eventually expanded to include 3 children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, as well as a lifetime of memories. John died March 17, 2003, and Kathryn, surrounded by members of her family, joined him on February 19, 2008. Kathryn, or "Nanie," as she came to be called by her children, grandchildren, friends and extended family, never met a stranger. She was known for her spaghetti and meatballs, and for her ability to serve a group of 25 or more without blinking. She'd tap into her stash of tomatoes from "Tomato Day" – an annual family tradition where everyone would get up at the crack of dawn to harvest, clean, peel and can a seemingly unlimited amount of tomatoes. Along with her spaghetti, Nanie was famous for her New Mexico Enchiladas and for the unconditional love she dished out generously to anyone who walked through her door. What Nanie did for a living was love people and make them feel good. She channeled this natural inclination into waitressing – and used it to help put all 3 of her children through college. Some of the many other ways she served others was through her involvement in the St. Francis' Mothers' Club, Garces High School P.T.A., Gleaners, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Knights of Columbus Columbian Wives, the Golden Agers, Italian Catholic Federation, Teamsters' Retiree Organization and as a Brownies Leader to name a few. Nanie loved life and lived it to the fullest in so many ways impossible to list – but a few of those were starting up and participating in the Birthday Club (a group of 8 women sharing special times together for decades), playing Scrabble and 6-card poker, betting on the horse races, and making each of her nine grandchildren feel deeply cherished. She actively participated in the St. Francis parish – having joined in 1945 upon first moving to Bakersfield. Kathryn was preceded in death by mother Madeline Cribari, brother Nick DiGiacomo, and husband John Wortiska. She is survived by daughter Marianne Malenk and son-in-law Eddie Malenk, daughter Denise Compton and son-in-law Jeff Compton, son Charlie Wortiska and daughter-in-law Sally Wortiska, grandchildren Elizabeth Malenk, Katie McAdams (and husband Andy McAdams), Jill Compton, Claire Compton, Anna Compton, Emily Wortiska, Garret Wortiska, Molly Wortiska, and Zach Wortiska, sister Mary Giardino and brother-in-law Joe Giardino, brother John DiGiacomo and sister-in-law Marlene DiGiacomo, sister in-law Delores DiGiacomo, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The viewing will take place Thursday, February 21, from 2 to 7 p.m., at Hopson-Anspach Family Mortuary. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, February 22, at 9 a.m at St. Francis Church. Pallbearers will be Garret Wortiska, Zach Wortiska, Skip Wortiska, Bob Elliott, Frankie Giardino, and Andy McAdams. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to either St. Faustina's Maternity Home, or to the Norbertine Sisters of Bethlehem Priory of St. Joseph, Tehachapi, CA, 93561. Special thanks go to the nurses and staff of the E.R. and I.C.U. at San Joaquin Hospital, particularly Chaplain Ric and Palliative Care Nurse Kimberly. Even as the family mourns their loss, they rejoice at the reunion between "Doll" (as John referred to Kathryn), and "Dear" (as she referred to him). Nanie and Pop are together again, at last.