Katherine “Kathy” Marie Saia, a kind and gentle soul, 58, of Selma, passed away on June 28, 2016, at St. Vincent’s Hospital Oncology Unit in Birmingham.

She was a sweet, humble and selfless person who displayed a loving spirit and kind heart.

Saia was born July 31, 1957, in Birmingham to parents Carl and Lenora Saia, and was the oldest daughter with one younger sibling, Carolyn Ann.

Of Italian heritage and a devout Roman Catholic, Saia attended parochial schools such as St. Anthony’s Catholic School, St. Joseph’s as well as John Carroll High School. She graduated from WA Berry High School in 1975, and later attended Jefferson State Jr. College and the University of Montevallo. Saia worked in the family shoe store business and was a caretaker for her grandmother, mother and subsequently her father. In 2012, she moved to Selma to be with her sister, Carolyn, and brother-in-law, Holland. After moving, she quickly became involved in Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Selma-Dallas County Public Library and the Edmundite Missions.

Saia is survived by her sister, Dr. Carolyn Saia Powell, of Selma; brother-in-law, James Holland Powell, of Selma; niece, Tiffany Hammond, of Plymouth, New Hampshire; nephew, Phillip Hammond, of Plymouth, New Hampshire; niece, Mary Claire Powell, of Selma; grand-nieces, Sophia Rose and Holland Caroline Hammond; and grand-nephew, Gabriel James Hammond. She is survived by her god-parents, Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Schilleci, uncles, aunts and nearly 100 cousins. Saia was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Lenora Saia.

A service was held at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church on June 30.

A memorial mass will be held Sunday, July 31, at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Selma at 10 a.m. A luncheon will be held following the service at the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Queen of Peace Catholic Church or the Selma-Dallas County Public Library.