Therese C. (Dominelli) Cattadoris

Mrs. Therese Carmela (Dominelli) Cattadoris, age 92, of Utica, currently residing in Washington, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Spokane, Washington. Born in the Utica area on November 8, 1916, Therese was the daughter of the late James Vincent and Angelica (Guerino) Dominelli. Raised in Utica, she was educated in local schools, graduating from Utica Free Academy in 1936. It was at their parish of St. Agnes Church that she and Edward J. Cattadoris were married on October 25, 1941; they shared a loving union of 43 years prior to Edward’s passing in October of 1984. Therese was a gifted and creative woman who wore many hats. She was active in sports and could often be seen riding her bike around Utica. She loved to ice skate at the Parkway and she learned to swim at the Y.W.C.A., priding herself on earning a senior life saving certificate. For many years Therese worked part-time as a waitress at Hotel Utica and Hotel Hamilton. She also worked as a secretary, a teacher, an activities director, a library aide, and a librarian. She taught a weekly baking class at the Boys Club in East Utica, and on Saturdays she worked in the canteen at the Y.W.C.A., supervising recreational activities for children. When she was in her mid-fifties, Therese attended college and earned a Library-Aide certificate which led to a 20-year career for her in the Utica School System. Her career came full-circle when she became the acting librarian at Mary Street School, the school she as well as all of her children attended. After retiring, she spent a year in California with her daughter and family, and later moved to the Riverview Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington, located near her son Bob and his family. As a resident of Riverview, Therese was able to continue her lifelong passion – swimming. She made new friends, became involved in St. Aloysius Church, and was able to participate in an aqua aerobics program well into her nineties. Among the many blessings of her full and active life, Therese’s greatest joy was her family. She loved their annual camping trips to the Adirondacks and water skiing at Eighth Lake. While camping, she prepared excellent, home-cooked meals for her family and often fed several hungry teenage friends as well. Therese enjoyed making sauce, pizza, meatballs, pizza fritte, and cookies with her grandchildren, recreating her mom’s dishes and writing down recipes to pass on. She was a dedicated mother who spent many a night up late sewing baton twirling costumes and planning Cub Scout projects. Her boundless energy was well directed and touched the lives of all who had the pleasure to know her. She was a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church and was active in the Children of Mary Sodality. She loved the drama club and other social activities that centered around her church and she made lifetime friends who continued on in a sorority for many years. Therese is survived by her four sons and daughters-in-law, Edward J. and Mary E. Cattadoris of Langston, Alabama, Richard H. and Sharon Cattadoris of Rochester, Robert A. and Kamori Cattadoris of Cheney, Washington, and Henry J. and Mary Cattadoris of Scarborough, Maine; and her daughter, Angela C. Dowd of Petaluma, California. Her survivors also include her cherished grandchildren and their families, Debbie, Jim, Erin and Lauren Neighbors, Christopher and Carson Cattadoris, Christin and Bill Phillips, Mark Cattadoris, Colleen, Jim, James, and Rachel Volpe, Dominic Cattadoris, Isabel Cattadoris, Mario Cattadoris, Kyle Dowd, Chad, Meghan, Carter and Avery Cattadoris, and Abby Cattadoris. Therese was predeceased by her adored baby sister, Carmela; her beloved grandson, Tyler Cattadoris in 1988; and her devoted and loving brother, Dick Dominelli in 2007. In addition, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, sister-in-law, Irene Dominelli; and dear friends, all of whom she continued to love and cherish throughout her life. Therese often prayed the rosary in the evenings and dedicated it to her loved ones. In keeping with the family’s wishes, there will be no public visitation. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Therese’s funeral service which will commence on Saturday morning July 17, 2010 at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the service. Inurnment will take place in Calvary Cemetery.

Therese C. (Dominelli) Cattadoris

November 8, 1916 - October 24, 2009