Obituary of Emilia Catizone

On Tuesday, November 22, 2022, Emilia Catizone, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away surrounded by her seven children in the comfort of her youngest daughter’s home.  

Emilia and her husband, Luigi, were determined to come to this country to create a better life. In 1979, with few possessions they left Italy, arriving in America with their seven children and an abundance of aspirations.  Emilia’s courage and sacrifices derived from her love for her family: she was truly the proudest and most selfless woman.  For her, family always came first. 

Emilia raised strong-willed, persistent, hardworking children; each with their own honorable successes. She was always the family’s peacekeeper, offering a helping hand, and speaking her truth, unapologetically. You could always count on her for a witty remark at perhaps an unexpected time. Her sense of humor was with her even in her final moments. She always kept her loved ones laughing. 

Emilia embodied everything a grandmother should be and cherished the title Nonnina. When Emilia became Nonnina, that was all she wanted others to know. Her nineteen grandchildren were her biggest source of pride and joy. She shared her love through the foods she cooked: her hands were always busy, kneading dough or rolling meatballs, making her grandchildren’s favorite foods.

It was truly remarkable that one woman had so much love to pour over her family. Emilia showed the same excitement for her first grandchild as she did her fourth great-grandchild, never missing an opportunity to celebrate her ever-growing family. 

Emilia always welcomed countless people into her home, willing to offer a homecooked meal at her table, the table where our family shared countless meals, memories, and moments. 

Emilia is survived by her adoring family: 

Her seven children; Pietro and his wife Carmela, Gina and her husband Eugenio, Clementina and her husband Vahid, Cirino and his wife Laura, Maria and her husband Chris, Massimiliano and his wife Amanda,  and Antonella and her husband Erik. 

Her nineteen grandchildren; MaryJane, Salvatore, P.J., Stephanie, Louie, Alexander, Matthew, Daniel, Ariella, Annmarie, Christina, Reno, Lorenzo, Liano, Emilia, Sebastian, Matteo, Cora, and Eva.  

Her four great-grandchildren; are L.J., Luca, Giovanni, and Mia.  

She will be missed dearly by her brother and sisters Antonio, Giulia, Aurora, and Angela who reside in Italy. Emilia was predeceased by her beloved husband,Luigi, and her brother, Salvatore.

Visitation 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM on Friday, November 25, 2022, at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com).

Funeral Mass 10:00 on Saturday, November 26, 2022, at Resurrection Parish, Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to:  Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center 

https://giving.mskcc.org/