Kathleen N. Lento Memorial Scholarship Fund

Kathy Lento

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Teacher, Mentor, and Friend

I hope that I see the world as you did ’cause I know
A life with love is a life that’s been lived

So I’ll sing Hallelujah
You were an angel in the shape of my mum
When I fell down you’d be there holding me up
Spread your wings as you go
And when God takes you back we’ll say Hallelujah
You’re home

-Ed Sheeran, 2017

Kathleen (“Kathy”) N. Lento (née Viola Kathleen Naff) was born in Miami, AZ, on March 10, 1939, died unexpectedly from complications suffered during a heart valve replacement, on September 3rd, 2021, in Austin, TX, where she lived with her daughter, Gina, and family.

Kathy was a highly-regarded educator in the Victor Valley High Desert Area of Southern California for 55 years. She held multiple college degrees and professional certifications in Spanish, Physical Education, Psychology, Education, Pupil Welfare Services, School Administration, Special and Adult Education and was a licensed Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor. She delighted in teaching students of middle and high school ages. A City of Victorville Official Proclamation issued upon her retirement from the California Public School system commended her service to arguably tens of thousands of students including three generations within some families. Upon her second retirement from the Options for Youth Charter School organization, its most recently established learning center was named the Kathleen N. Lento Instructional Center.

Kathy was pre-deceased by her son, Michael, on August 23rd, 2008, her parents, Carl and Viola Naff, and her brother, Carl “Pete” Naff. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Liam Shannon, her grandchildren, Gianni and Malina, her former husband, Frank Lento, former sister and brother-in-law, Kathy “Tuggy” (née Lento) and Gordon MacCharles, and nieces, Krista and Amanda, her cousin, Ruth Cumming and great nieces, Patricia and Kathleen (her namesake).

Donations are welcomed and greatly appreciated!  You may donate by check to HDCF (High Desert Community Foundation)                                                                                                                              with “Kathleen N. Lento Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo section.  Send to HDCF, P.O. Box 2028,  Apple Valley, CA  92307.                                                                                                           You may also donate with a credit card or a PayPal account: