Catherine DeMaio passed away on January 20, 2018. Visitation will be held on Tuesday January 23, 2018 from 2-5 & 7-9 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday January 24, 2018 at 10 AM at Santa Maria Church. Interment to follow at St. Raymond's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to The St. Patrick's Home, 66 Van Cortlandt Park So., Bronx NY 10463 (st.patrickshome.org), St. Jude's Children's Hospital (stjude.org), or The Aspca (aspca.org) would be greatly appreciated.

Catherine was born on April 3, 1932 to the parents of Patrick and Susan Caulfield (nee McManus) who emigrated from Northern Ireland at a young age. She was the youngest of two children- having a sister, Elizabeth, who predeceased her. She was born and lived in NYC for a time but the family eventually moved to Long Island and then the Bronx where she grew up and lived for the rest of her life.

Catherine was born during the Depression years and her early childhood was witness to WWII so she understood what it meant to be without. She grew up in a middle class home and lived a simple life. She met and married Daniel DeMaio on June 12, 1955. They had three children - a daughter, Deborah, and two sons, Daniel and Timothy.

While the children were growing up, her husband, Danny, worked as a construction worker and Catherine stayed at home until the children were school age. Then, Catherine worked in elementary schools as a lunchroom dietary aide. Later in life, she returned to work and did bookkeeping for local companies near her home.

The DeMaio(s) were both very active in their community as members of the Zerega Avenue Association and advocated for helping the neighborhood youth and keeping the community safe and clean.
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Catherine's passions were first about family - especially when it came to her five grandchildren: Timothy, Jr. (T.J) the oldest, Victoria, Daniel, Jr. (Danny), Nicole, and the youngest, Sabrina. Each had their own time with her and she loved them in their own unique way. She attended baseball games, dance recitals and concerts and celebrated birthdays, graduations, the sacraments and so many other events in their lives. Most recently, she was able to enjoy the engagement luncheon for Victoria and her fiancé, Stephen.

Catherine was a warm and fun loving person. She was very interested and concerned about the well being of those around her. She had a hearty laugh, good sense of humor, smiling blue Irish eyes, and a strong stubborn streak! In her younger days, she enjoyed refurbishing furniture, making slipcovers and draperies and watching "This Old House" as she had a special interest in antiques.

Next to her family and friends, Catherine deeply loved her pets - especially the cats she had in her later years: Pepper, Misty and Penny. While at St. Patrick's Home, Catherine became know as the "bird lady" because she would bring the bread from her meals outside to feed the birds!

When Catherine first arrived at St. Pat's, she was not capable of doing anything for herself and had to remain in a wheelchair. Even though she was never really able to truly walk again, with much rehabilitation, a strong spirit and the help of many wonderful people, Catherine was able to become an active participant in the community there. They had a beautiful chapel where she attended mass daily, when she could, because she had such a deep, abiding faith. She helped plant flowers in the Spring, sang in the choir, played bingo and participated in many other activities and events - in essence she became the spirit of St. Pat's!

Catherine was blessed to spend her remaining days at St. Patrick's where she passed in the early morning hours of Sat., Jan. 20th. She was waked at Sisto Funeral home on Jan. 23rd, surrounded by family and friends who loved her and will miss her so much!

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