Catherine Rose “Kitty” (Smith) Tirone

Catherine Rose “Kitty” (Smith) Tirone

January 25, 1964 – April 12, 2024

Kitty was a kind and gentle soul who had a lust for life and a deep love for her family and friends.  She will be sorely missed!

She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Laura E. Smith.  She is survived by sons, Sergeant Alexander J. Tirone and Pvt. 1st Class Joshua M. Tirone; parents, Dr. Jim and Marty Smith; siblings: Lisa Smith Cimino, Jim Smith Jr., Paul Smith (Sara), Juliana McGuire (Dennis), and Mike Smith (Sarah); many nieces and nephews.

VISITATION: Sunday, May 12th from 3pm to 5pm at the West Center Chapel, followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 5pm.  MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Monday, May 13th at 10am at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church, 11802 Pacific.  Interment, Calvary Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family to be distributed later.

To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please visit www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “Live Cast” button at the top of the home page.


Catherine Rose “Kitty” (Smith) Tirone was born in Omaha, NE January 1964, to Dr. Jim and Marty Smith. With her dad in the Air Force, she moved around in the early years. Living in Madrid, Spain, Bellevue, NE, Los Angeles, CA and eventually back to Omaha.

Like her mother and aunts, she attended Duchesne Academy and then Carroll College, in Helena, MT. She would often tell us all the hilarious rides to and from school with cousins, Marty and Susie. But she missed her new baby brother and returned home to attend and graduate from Creighton University.

Her next adventure took her to Phoenix, AZ where she lived for the next 37 years, minus a brief stint in Seattle, WA. She worked in various avenues of healthcare in marketing and sales, eventually assisting people with Medicare Supplements.

She loved crafting with her friends, painting nights, and the bad boy bake-off. But her greatest pride was her 2 boys. SGT Tirone, Alexander J., born in 2000 and PFC Tirone, Joshua M., born in 2004, both in the reserves for the Army and Marines respectively. Thankfully the boys have many memories of their trips to Disneyland and graduations from boot camps. She will always be watching and cheering them on as they turn into the best versions of themselves.

As she got older her trips to Omaha were filled with La Casa pizza, Barrett’s Grilled PB&J and catching up with her many nieces and nephews. The Smith family trips to the Ozarks with games, booze cruises and hanging out are something we all have cherished. Her Omaha family is glad to have her home, but will miss her laugh and love of family.

10 Comments

  • Jackie Sojka Posted May 5, 2024 8:24 pm

    My deepest sympathy for the loss of such a beautiful young woman and to all of her family; especially her sons.
    Prayerfully, Jackie Sojka

  • Catherine Rokes Posted May 6, 2024 2:04 pm

    My condolences to the whole family. May she rest in peace and may you find comfort in precious memories.

  • Debbie Kohnen Posted May 7, 2024 2:57 pm

    Kitty was like an amazing friend and an amazing soul. She is missed so much, but remembered in the best of ways. My heart goes out to all the family and friends of this sweet and delightful woman. My heart breaks with yours, but her memory will forever be in my heart.

  • Annette Buchanan Posted May 10, 2024 10:45 am

    My heart hurts over the death of Kitty. She was a woman with a very caring soul. I am sad for the pain that grief brings especially to her two sons, her parents, and her siblings/family and Friends. I am so blessed by having known Kitty. I will forever remember her saying if one is good a lot more is better when crafting with butterflies.

  • Susan Hoffman Posted May 10, 2024 11:00 am

    I’m so sad for Kitty’s boys – the loves of her life. My heart goes out also to her parents. I’ve known Kiitty since our March of Dines days but still chatted occasionally. She was a very bright light in our world.

  • Susan Weber Posted May 11, 2024 6:17 pm

    I mainly know Kitty from her help with my Medicare insurance and also some investment opportunities. From the time I met her she was always helpful. Patient and I appreciated her lighthearted way with me. As time went on, we shared more about our personal lives and I know how much her sons and family meant to her and some of the struggle she had. My condolences to her family and friends. I know she will be greatly missed as I will when calling her up about questions I might have and just to reconnect each cheer around my Medicare. Thank you for letting us know.

  • Susan Weber Posted May 11, 2024 6:20 pm

    I knew Kitty mostly threw her helping me sign up for my healthcare through Medicare and also some investment opportunities. She was always so kind and helpful to me and as time went on, we shared more about our personal lives. I know she greatly loved her sons and her family met great deal to her and she was enjoying exploring some new things in her life. I’m sorry it was ended So soon and I sent my condolences to everyone. May she rest in peace.

  • Barbara Mezinko Posted May 12, 2024 2:44 pm

    Kitty n I worked together for over a decade at Philips lifeline. We had so many good times together. Our annual Christmas lunch was special. She will be missed by many. Her boys were her pride n joy. May she rest in peace ❤️🙏🏻

  • Linda Mattson Posted May 13, 2024 10:31 am

    I have known Kitty for 35+ years. We met during our days together in the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees) in Seattle Washington. Kitty was my VP and I was her director of orientation. We had many adventures together back then and in the years since. My heart breaks for Alex and Josh, her parents, siblings and the many people who love her. May she rest in peace and watch over her boys..

  • Becky Hill Posted May 14, 2024 9:22 pm

    To Kitty’s beautiful family,
    I want you all to know that I have been praying for you as you go through this difficult time. I have been friends with Kitty for over 22 years and will miss her dearly. I cannot imagine how difficult this must be specifically for Alex & Josh, who lost their mother. Kitty was full of life, had a magnetic personality and was such a delight to be around. As deeply sad as I am, I am comforted knowing that she is in the arms of Jesus and we will be reunited again one day in heaven. Psalm 34:17-18 – The LORD is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.”

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