Catherine (Rena or Kay) Giovinazzo

A tribute to a beautiful life

The first question out of our mother’s mouth when she saw you was “Did you eat?”, followed by “what did you eat, where did you eat and finally do you want to eat now?” She seemed all about the food but really, she was all about you. She was most comfortable in the role of hostess, not the hors d’oeuvres and martinis on a platter type of hostess – more the come as you are, let’s see what’s in the fridge and what’s going on in your life. She watched and listened and discerned and wasn’t always right about what was needed but she always tried.

She was known for her hospitality and for putting on a feast of a meal, where everyone was welcome. The guest list brought aunts and uncles, cousins and friends to our table and we were immersed in an atmosphere of abundance. This was a place where we felt safe, loved, and heard and she was the architect, along with my dad. She was proud of her reputation as a good cook, but I think burdened by it, though she wouldn’t have characterized it that way. She lacked the confidence to venture too far from the safety of her kitchen.

This may be due to her arrival in New York from Italy, by boat, with her mother and siblings at age 9. She spoke no English, entered kindergarten and could barely fit in the small desks. She stopped speaking Italian in an effort to assimilate. We wished she had taught us her native language, but her background informed so much of how we were raised that we all LOVE our Italian heritage.

She embraced her role as wife and mother. She was strict and no nonsense. We didn’t talk things over; she didn’t explain why we should listen. She taught us to obey adults, treat our elders with respect, be kind to people. She also taught us to be tough, work hard, and not complain. She didn’t fuss over herself much and material things didn’t matter to her. She felt lucky to have what she had and she told us she had all she needed.

She had a strong belief in God, attending church was mandatory. She lived her faith, was accepting of everyone we brought home. In the neighborhoods where she grew up there wasn’t always acceptance of anyone who wasn’t white, Catholic and, not only Italian, but from the same region in Italy. BUT she always had this open heart.

We had freedom as kids- unsupervised outdoors as long as we were home for meals. We would ride our bikes for hours. We played with all our neighbors and were in and out of each other’s’ houses. I don’t remember my mother hovering over us or worrying where we spent our days until we were teenagers. Then she was the parent who drove us and picked us up. There were strict curfews. She annoyed us with her interrogations. My friends all loved and feared her.

She set my father up as the fun one and she took on discipline, meals, and housework. Resentment came out in all the ways it can, but she apologized when it did. And when we had children, she was such an engaged and present grandparent. Her relationship with each of the kids leaves them with a strong sense of belonging to a larger family. Our children absolutely adore their grandmother. They were excited about visits, playing 500 rummy at the dining room table, watching “Murder she Wrote”, visiting the Lackawanna conservatory, and having sleepovers. I am certain she felt their deep love as it was the natural outcome of the world she created for them.

So many considered her a second mother, a favored aunt, a special friend, that we felt a part of something bigger - a large safety net of extended family. She wove that net and kept it strong and we have been supported by it ever since.

Caterina's Childhood and Young Adult Life

She was born Caterina Enrica Enlisa Silvestrini in Cuccarano di Fano, Italy, on July 12, 1928. Her parents had both been widowed before they married each other. These middle names, given to my mother, were the names of my grandparents’ first spouses. Enrica was in memory of Rico, my grandmother’s deceased husband (died at age 21), and Enlisa was in memory of my grandfather’s deceased wife. Our mother always felt that she ‘carried’ them with her.

Picture at left taken by Sandra on a visit to the home town - this is an alley to the town square

A romance that stood the test of time

Our mother was working at Remington Rand Printing Press when she met my father. On his first day, in an effort to get a romance going, her female friends put a sign on his desk that said, "Welcome Peter from Rena" She claims she was furious and avoided him, then, ultimately, when they began dating, they kept it secret because she didn't want those friends to take the credit!

Aunt Rena and Aunt Kay

Aunt Rena:

She had 2 siblings. Her brother Eddie (Anna) had one child, Joyce. Her sister Ines (Jim) had 2 children, Elaine and Jimmy Jr. These nieces and nephew called her Aunt Rena.

Aunt Kay:

Our dad had one sister, Katherine, married to Louie Maggiotto, and they had 7 children, 2 nieces and 5 nephews who called her Aunt Kay

life story

She was rooted in the Catholic tradition

She often went to church every morning, especially if she was worried about someone. She was always lighting candles for someone's healing. A favorite story of the importance of religion is told by a close childhood friend, Karima. At age 10 she slept over our house on a Saturday night and we had a pillow fight (not allowed) and broke the bedroom overhead light. My mother came up the stairs, yelled at us, and then said, "you can go to church tomorrow but you can't take communion".

memorial service

A Celebration of Life

July 10, 2021

We lost our mother on April 3, 2021. Below was her obituary in the Buffalo News

Catherine was pre-deceased by her brother Eddie (Anna) and her sister Ines (Jim). She is survived by her beloved husband of 70 years, Peter, and her four children: Cindy Solomon (Gerry), Sandra Giovinazzo-Yates (Gene), Susan Fox-Beroza (Allen) and Rick Giovinazzo (Olya). She is grandmother to 8 ( Michelle, Carolyn, Nicole, Rachel, Julia, Elliott, Catherine and Adam) and great grandmother to 3 (Oscar, Annabelle and Olivia). She is Aunt Rena to 2 nieces and a nephew and Aunt Kay to 7 nieces and nephews. She was a second mother to many more.

Her greatest pleasure was to be with family. She had an open heart with a deep love for all those in her orbit. She had a deep faith manifested with service to others, cooking for and visiting family, friends, neighbors who were in need. She was known for her hospitality and if you were in her home, you were nourished not only by delicious food but stories, laughter and love. The intense sense of loss with her passing is a tribute to her life.

Due to COVID services were delayed. We had a lively celebration - on July 10, 2021. Many thanks to Rocco & Marie for the passage of the wooden spoon and all those who honored her with their stories

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Rochester Cremation Services