Kathleen M. Innaurato

With deep respect, immeasurable sadness, and profound love, we mourn the loss of Kathleen Marie Elizabeth “Kathy” Innaurato, of Mystic, CT, and North Wildwood, NJ, who died on September 28, 2026, surrounded by the people she loved most in this world: her daughters and her husband.

Born in Philadelphia, PA, where her family originally resided before moving to Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and then South Jersey, Kathleen was the cherished daughter of the late Thomas Frank Innaurato, Jr., and the late Frances Madelain (nee Angelson) Innaurato. She carried her family's legacy with pride, reflecting her roots and core values in everything she did. True to her roots, she continued family traditions, excelled as a cook and baker, and treasured the recipes Grandmom Innaurato taught and passed down to generations.

Kathleen is defined by her family and her deep faith in God; she was a devoted wife, loving mother, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, educator, leader, executive, colleague, advisor, mentor, entrepreneur, innovator, influencer, athlete, author, and friend. Her kindness, strength, intelligence, loyalty, vision, and creativity inspired admiration and respect in everyone who knew her well. She had an extraordinary gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and recognized for their potential, often inspiring and encouraging them to go for it and do more than they themselves believed possible. Many executives across the US and overseas point to her as a key contributor to their growth and success. She celebrated others' achievements more enthusiastically than her own, quietly helped those in need, and never sought recognition for her countless acts of kindness that defined her life.

Her generosity went beyond monetary contributions and gifts. She gave of herself, her time, and her presence. She went where she needed to be and did what it took to help or solve a problem. When her sister-in-law was very ill, she packed up and went to Pennsylvania and stayed with her for four-plus months, caring for her. When her brother-in-law was recuperating, she made numerous extended trips to Pennsylvania to offer assistance and support. At Christmas, her favorite holiday, she bought gifts, dressed as Mrs. Claus, and visited the Women’s Shelter, bringing Christmas joy and gifts to those staying there and their children. Kathy always gave generously to family, friends, and coworkers, especially at Christmas, and she found great happiness in watching others' faces as they opened them. Her Christmas tree and interior and exterior decorations were unbelievable.

Kathy graduated from Camden Catholic High School and attended Immaculata University and Rowan University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Education and Training with a minor in Psychology.

After graduation, she pursued a teaching career; her most memorable role was teaching 3rd & 5th grade at St. Gregory’s Catholic School in Magnolia, NJ. Her impact on students' learning went beyond the classroom and into the life lessons they carry into their own families. She made learning fun; the students knew she cared. She spoke to them, not at them. She loved her students, and they gave it right back to her—college choices, careers, business startups, etc., were inspired by, influenced by, and can be traced back to their time together. They also developed a deep love for John Denver songs, and hearing them takes her back to that time (She is smiling!). She was happy they stayed in touch, occasionally got together, and thrilled she could attend when she could.

Kathleen pivoted careers and began working in casino hospitality in Atlantic City. She entered the industry as a Licensing Representative. She worked her way up the corporate ladder in a male-dominated business to Chief Human Resources Officer, moving between employers and experiences along the way. From land-based casinos, barge and riverboat gambling, integrated resort casinos, opening casinos, repurposing hotels and buildings into casinos, opening and takeover casinos through mergers and acquisitions, and beyond. Her expertise also extended to the Commercial, Native American, and International segments. From Atlantic City to Mississippi, Greece, Argentina, Missouri, Iowa, Connecticut, Las Vegas, and California, she shared her extensive knowledge, energy, enthusiasm, intellect, organizational skills, and operational expertise. She significantly improved the employees' expertise and business results. Her greatest strength was turning vision into reality. If you can dream it, she could make it happen. Turning nothing but an opaque idea into a reality beyond expectations. She was a top leader in human resources, organizational development, and tribal member development.

In 2007, Kathy founded KMEI – Kreative Management and Employee Innovation as its President, focusing on employee and management development and training systems in the casino and hospitality industries.

In 2012, she transitioned to full-time work in the private sector. She helped establish PeopleChamps Gaming + Hospitality, an advisory, consulting, and executive search firm specializing in casino gaming and hospitality, tribal member development, and serving as its CHRO and, later, its Chief Executive Officer.

Nothing brought Kathleen greater joy than being Samantha and Sabrina Innaurato's mother. She loved them beyond measure. She was a great Mom and gave them love and tough love when they needed it. Every decision she made and every goal she pursued centered on giving the girls every opportunity to thrive personally, educationally, athletically, etc. She took great pride in their successes and always gave them hugs, an ear, and endless love and support. Teaching them their prayers, took them on trips, did art, read stories, watched movies, taught them to cook, and much more. One of the best times they shared was when they played the elves to Kathy’s Mrs. Claus at the Women’s Center. It was eye-opening, emotional, thoughtful, sad, and fun. It was a meaningful life lesson, full of those emotions, and they still talk about it today. One example of her thinking was encouraging the girls to pursue artistic roller skating and ice skating. No expense was spared in providing them with the best coaches, dresses, skates, and travel. She never missed a competition or championship. Driving or flying long distances to compete and sometimes just for practice. She loved this because the family spent so much time together. She was their greatest supporter, protector, teacher, and biggest fan. All those times, life lessons, and sacrifices paid off as adults; they turned into fine women and took such great care of her when she had health issues. Nothing was more beautiful than watching them dote on and care for their Mom. They learned those lessons well.

Kathy loved her husband very much: She would say, “He is the love of my life, “I love my husband to pieces,” “I wouldn’t know what to do without him,” “He is my rock.” And he loved her right back. He was her friend, her mentee, and the love of her life. She was the same to him: his sounding board, providing the guardrails he needed to understand every decision and its ramifications in life and business. Because Kathy always took the other side of an issue, those discussions weren't always easy, often loud and sometimes animated, but they always worked out. In their industry, it was a privilege to work at the same property as executives. Very few organizations would entertain it. That said, the family needed to make professional and personal sacrifices. One could not accept a huge opportunity because it affected the family. The many moves were a sacrifice for the family, and she loved that he took care of that. When Kathleen had a health issue, she loved and appreciated his research and his never-ending quest to find her the best care, taking her to the best doctors and hospitals anywhere in the country, and she went no matter where they lived. He made Kathleen feel loved, safe, and cared for beyond words.

Kathleen was courageous, a straight shooter, and very strong-willed, dealing with issues others wouldn't, having the conversations others were afraid to have, and being firm with people who required it while giving hugs and support to those who needed it. She held herself and you to high standards. Like a good coach, she gave you tasks that weren't easy and stretched your knowledge, competencies, and resilience, growing you personally and professionally. She was so good at leading you to the desired outcome without directly telling you what to do that you believed you did it all yourself. She memorized everyone's name and went around the room, repeating it back to them; for a room full of trainees, she had never met before, the highest being almost 100 attendees.

As a former athlete, she played basketball in college and could hoop; she loved sports, especially baseball, football, and basketball, and was especially a fan of Steph Curry, UConn Women’s basketball, a team from Texas that cannot be mentioned, and all the professional and college teams from Philadelphia.

Kathy was also an author and was finalizing a children’s book about her beloved Yorkie, Mia, for the publisher, and began writing a follow-up in a series she envisioned before she passed.

Most people thought Kathleen was an extrovert, given her high-energy ability to perform in front of a room full of people, her infectious laugh, her love of dressing up as a character, acting out a skit, and giving speeches to hundreds. But to those who really knew her, she was an introvert who wanted nothing more than to be at home, surrounded by her family's love. And that is how she went home to Our Lord, surrounded by her family's love.

Kathleen is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Gerard G. “Gerry” Nailon, with whom she shared 37 wonderful years of friendship, love, laughter, and unwavering devotion to their family; her cherished daughters, Samantha Lauren and Sabrina Lindsey; her sisters-in-law, Eileen Nailon Quigley and Kathleen Nailon Ainscoe, and her husband, Robert; her brother-in-law, John J. Nailon, Jr.; David Tidman; her revered uncle, Lawrence Innaurato, Sr., and his wife, Marie; her beloved cousin, Barbara Cibotti, and her husband, Phil; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In addition to her father and mother, she was predeceased by her sister-in-law and her husband, Patricia Nailon DiCiurcio and George DiCiurcio, and brother-in-law Robert Quigley, and all her cherished Yorkies.

Kathleen M. Innaurato touched the lives of many people around the world; she is a tremendous loss to her family, friends, all who knew her, and all who never met her. The world is a much darker place without her as its light.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Kathleen's spirit to your local shelters (human or animal) or to cancer research.

All family and friends are invited to celebrate Kathleen’s life;

Friday, October 16th, 6 pm – 8 pm: Viewing

Bacchi Funeral Home

805 DeKalb Street, Route 202

Bridgeport, PA 19405

Saturday, October 17th, 9 am – 9:50 am: Viewing

Followed by 10 am Celebration of Life Mass

Mother of Divine Providence (MDP) Church

333 Allendale Road

King of Prussia, PA 19406

For those near and far who cannot attend:

Live Streaming of the Mass on Saturday, October 17th at 10 am

MDP Website - http://mdpparish.com

MDP Facebook – www.facebook.com/mdpparish

Interment to follow:

St. Augustine’s Cemetery

175 W DeKalb Pike

King of Prussia, PA 19406

Arrangements are by The Bacchi Funeral Home & Crematory, Bridgeport, PA.

Condolences to the family at www.bacchifh.com