Caterina DeMartino

Caterina Minaudo DeMartino, 88, of East Haven, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 5^th, 2023, at her home with her family by her side.  She was the beloved wife of the late Antonino “Nino” DeMartino. Caterina was born in Xitta, Province of Trapani, Sicily on October 28^th, 1934, and was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Francesca Genna Minaudo.  Mother of Diego (Leah) DeMartino and Maria (Steven) Cacace. Grandmother of Charles (Lauren) Celotto, Catherine (Edward) Hales, Anthony (Briana) DeMartino, Julia DaSilveria and Matthew Jenkins. Also survived by four great-grandchildren. Sister of Joseph (Mary) Minaudo and the late Anna Grillo. Sister-in-law of Antimo Grillo.  Caterina was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. Caterina loved to dance and spent many weekends of her young adult life dancing the night away with her husband, Antonino. She was a kind and giving person who always put the needs of her family first. If you stopped by her house for any reason, you’d never leave empty handed, or with an empty stomach.  Caterina was a gifted seamstress, learning and refining her craft in Italy, and bringing that precision and beauty to the United States. Caterina worked at various factories throughout her career, including Andy Tommy Dress Co, Robby Len, and Mode Manufacturing. Caterina was also a strong woman who faced every challenge in her life with courage and dignity. Caterina, a proud Italian immigrant, came to America in 1956 and built a life with her husband. Caterina was a survivor of the Franklin Street fire in 1957, risking her life by ushering others from the building, and then jumping 2 stories to safety, when the fire escape ladder wouldn’t completely descend.  Caterina was loved by all who knew her. Her children, and grandchildren, proudly told stories of their lives together, which always resulted in roaring laughter from anyone who heard them. Whether it be about swinging a wiffle ball bat, a floppy slipper, the signature grandma brownies, or just Caterina being Caterina, every moment spent with her was an adventure waiting to be told. Caterina was one of the strongest women to ever walk this earth and we were blessed to have her as the head of our family. She was a source of inspiration to us all and she will be deeply missed by everyone whose lives she touched.

The visiting hours will be Thursday, October 12^th from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at The Havens Family North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday morning, October 13^th at 9:30 in St. Pio of Pietrelcina Parish at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, East Haven.  Interment will follow in East Lawn Cemetery, East Haven