Obituary of Marie Veronica Caterino

Marie Veronica Caterino (nee Dughi) of Tempe, Arizona, and Mineola, New York, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2017. Marie was born in Hampton, New Jersey, on December 20, 1918. She was the daughter of Italian immigrants: Giuseppe Antonio Dughi and Giuditta “Clara” Moglia Dughi who owned a small candy store. When she was three, Marie, her parents and her brothers: Amerigo “Frank” and Dino, returned to Italy to visit family in Montarsiccio, Fornolo, and Parma. Unfortunately, Dino died soon after they arrived. Then, due to immigrant quotas, Giuseppe was not able to return to America. As Clara was born in Buenos Aires, she was permitted to return to New York. Clara worked hard as a waitress in her brothers’ restaurants and became a citizen. She then sent for Marie, Amerigo, and Giuseppe. Unfortunately, tragedy befell the family, and Marie’s father died before he could return to America. The children returned to New York to be with their mother, leaving their small Italian village behind forever. Marie grew to adulthood during the Great Depression. She attended school, graduating from Jane Addams High School in the Bronx. After high school, Marie took an office job, and was soon noticed by the office’s dashing young Southern Italian bookkeeper: Carl Caterino. They were married in 1941. Their son, Anthony, was born in 1943, followed by a daughter, Linda, in 1949. After saving for many years, the family purchased a home in Mineola, Long Island, where Marie worked as a homemaker. From time to time, Marie did clerical work and became a certified nursing assistant. The Caterinos were hugely popular in the Long Island Italian community, and had many friends and family close by. Marie was a fabulous cook. She enjoyed entertaining and socializing, and it seemed as if every day was a party at the Caterino home. Marie was known for her sweet disposition, grace, kindness, and sense of humor. She was a gentle soul, who was deeply spiritual throughout her life, and actively involved in her Roman Catholic faith. Marie was a wonderful wife and mother, who always put family before herself. Marie's son, Anthony, was a top entertainment attorney with CBS. When Anthony became terminally ill, Marie nursed him until his untimely death. Marie's daughter, Linda, became a university professor and psychologist in Arizona. In 1986, Marie and Carl became winter visitors to Arizona, and bought a home in Leisure World near Linda. After Carl’s passing in 1996, Marie moved to Arizona where she lived until her death, enjoying the weather, occasional travel, reading, attending mass, corresponding with friends and family, and the company of her beloved daughter and family who brought her great joy. Marie is survived by her daughter, Linda Caterino Kulhavy, her grandchildren: Nicole Stoutner (Duncan), Kathryn Kulhavy, Anthony Caterino (Joanne), and Jennifer Caterino (Mike Shipley), her seven great-grandchildren who affectionately called her "Nonna": Alessandra, Lauren, Morgan, AJ, Ava, Chiarina, and Emmaline, and her daughter-in-law Maryann Caterino. Marie was preceded in death by her husband: Carl, her son Anthony, her brothers Frank and Dino, her son-in-law Raymond Kulhavy, and her parents Giuseppe and Clara. She will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate to know her. Services will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at St. Aidan’s Catholic Church in Williston Park, New York. Memorial donations may be made to the Discalced Carmelite Nuns (15 Mount Carmel Rd. Danvers, MA 01923-3796) or the Dominican Nuns of Corpus Christi Monastery in Bronx, NY (www.opbronx.org/chapel-renovation/).