Catherine D. Sabatino

Catherine D. “Katie” Sabatino, 89, of New Lexington, Ohio, passed on from this life on February 5, 2026, at Ohio State University Medical Center following complications from a stroke. Katie was a retired registered nurse who served the health care profession for 35 years. She was born at the family home on Madison Street in New Lexington on September 5, 1936, as the second of three daughters of Dan and Mary Sabatino, originally of Roseto Valfortore, Italy. Katie graduated from the former St. Aloysius Academy (high school) in 1954 and from the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1957. Her first employment was as a staff R.N. at Good Samaritan from 1957-1959, followed by stints at hospitals in New Mexico, Indiana, and Newark, Ohio. She enlisted in the active-duty U.S. Air Force in 1962. She served as a 1st lieutenant at the 32nd USAF Hospital (John Moses Memorial in North Dakota) with the 862nd Medical Group as part of Strategic Air Command (SAC) until 1964, when she received an honorable discharge. Katie then returned to work at Newark City Hospital, followed by time at the U.S. Public Health Service hospitals in Bethel, Mt. Edgecumbe, and Barrow, Alaska, plus hospitals in Valdez and Anchorage. She then ventured to Australia and worked at a medical facility in the Northern Territory. She returned to the U.S. to work at hospitals in San Francisco, New Mexico, and Colorado, and to the Alaskan cities of Dillingham, Tanana, Kotzebue, Bethel, ending her career in Anchorage. Upon retirement she returned to New Lexington and resided with her sister Mae in their childhood home for many years, until she and her sister moved to Fairview Assisted Living in New Lexington. She enjoyed reading, caring for numerous pet cats, writing letters, volunteering with charity programs including the St. Rose Bereavement Committee and the Corning St. Vincent DePaul program, and visiting shut-ins and those at nursing homes. During her life she fostered several children experiencing social and medical disabilities and was especially fond of Eddie. She was also instrumental in the success of local efforts to recognize veterans for their service. Katie was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Mary Kochensparger, her brother-in-law Donald Kochensparger, her niece Char Kochensparger, and her great-nephew Derek Kochensparger. She is survived by her sister Mae Sabatino, nephews Dan (Donna) Kochensparger, Kevin (Amy) Kochensparger, Jon (Kellie) Kochensparger, Matt Kochensparger, nine great-nieces and nephews, four great-great nephews, and friends too numerous to mention. Visiting hours will be on from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on February 13 at Chute-Wiley Funeral Home, 118 S. Jackson St in New Lexington, with a Mass of Christian Burial on February 14 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Rose Church in New Lexington. In honor of Katie, those attending are asked to wear a purple (her favorite color) or patriotic accessory. Following the Mass will be a procession and graveside service at New Lexington Cemetery. The family would like to extend special thanks to Roger Dusenberry, Judy Paxton, Mary Steen, Debbie Padgett, Marty Epifano, and all the staff and residents at Fairview Assisted Living for their kindness and support over the years. In lieu of flowers, Katie asked that donations be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

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