Kathryn Colleen Bardone

Kathryn "Colleen" Bardone, devoted mother and loving grandmother who lived a life that embraced faith, laughter and love of family earned her eternal rest in Heaven on April 1, 2026, passing peacefully while sleeping in her home at Quail Park. She was 95. Those that were loved by and loved her, will always cherish the memories of her warm smile, joyful and contagious laugh, sharp wit and her dedication and love to her family. She was a bright light in this world, a woman of strong faith, always sharing a story that would bring out a smile and one that encouraged others to be their best selves. Colleen was born on October 21, 1930, in her family's dugout home, in Bluitt, New Mexico. She was the eldest child and only daughter born to Floyd and Sally Dunlap. She and her family moved to the Central Valley, when she was just two years old, when her father secured employment at Tagus Ranch. After losing her father, at the early age of five, her family eventually found themselves in Visalia. Her mother, Sally, never remarried, focusing on raising her three young children - always placing their needs above her own. Colleen had a strong bond with her mother and two younger brothers, whom she loved dearly. Colleen attended Visalia public schools and graduated from Visalia High School in 1948. It is here that she met her future husband, Alfred "Al" Bardone. They spent nearly 60 years of life together, persevering and raising a strong family rooted in hard work and dedication. Most of these years were spent in Visalia, with ten years living in their home, that they built together, on the river in Three Rivers. As proud mother to three boys, Randy, Fred and Corky, Colleen found herself to be the "Princess in her world". "She was most often known to be best dressed, with not a hair out of place. Be it homemaking, sewing, baking, tole painting, walking her beloved dog, enjoying her family or simply browsing through a catalog... she did it "her way", which was always the "best way". In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, she worked for 30 years at Bank of America as a Teller and Loan Officer. In 2009, Al passed and in 2011 Colleen suffered a stroke. However, her determined mindset kept her focused on living a long life and treasuring the moments that mattered most. She never missed a gym day at Lifestyles and valued her daily walks, with her dog, very much. She loved time spent with family and was always very excited to host an annual luncheon, at Canton's restaurant, in honor of her birthday. As a grandmother, she was unparalleled, creating magical memories of spinning on bar stools for hours while she cooked in the kitchen, going on long walks and exploring all that nature had to offer, sharing fun stories from her childhood and taking time to laugh in the special moments that her family will carry in their hearts forever. Above all, Colleen's family was her greatest pride and joy. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alfred Bardone; her cherished youngest son, Corky Bardone and her dearly loved granddaughter, Janice Bardone; her mother and father, Floyd and Sally Dunlap and younger brother, Clifford "Sonny" Dunlap (Dorlene). She is survived by her loving children Randy Bardone, Fred Bardone and his wife Glenna, and daughter in law Sherry Bardone. She also leaves behind her younger brother, Floyd "Buddy" Dunlap (Judy) and her treasured grandchildren, Miranda Lanting (Bryan), Sarah Tyler (Jim), Simon Bardone (Shirley), Andrew Bardone, Matthew Bardone (Holly), Scott Bardone (Ann), Jeremy Bardone (Brandy), Andrea Bardone (Adam); her seventeen very special great grandchildren, two precious great great granddaughters and several special nieces and nephews. The Bardone family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Quail Park on Cypress and American Quality Life Hospice Care for the love, kindness and tender care extended to our family and shown to our beloved Colleen, throughout her journey. Please join us in a service, to celebrate her beautiful life, to be held on Tuesday, May 26 at 9:30am at Salser & Dillard with a graveside ceremony to follow at 11:00am at Visalia Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Kathryn Colleen Bardone

October 21, 1930 - April 1, 2026