Though no words can lessen the pain of losing your extraordinary Mom and Nonna, I’ve shared here three terms that, for me, summarize Caterina and her character:
Inclusive - everyone was welcome at Caterina and John’s and staying for supper was assumed. No one will ever be able to make a spaghetti sauce quite as awesome as Caterina’s. While she worked in the hotel industry, Caterina and her co-workers, of various ethnicities, invented a mash-up language all their own that facilitated deep and lasting friendships. Caterina had no use for pretentions: Everyone was valuable and valued; she no more nor less than anyone else. A “big shot” was a category of worker, someone employed in an office downtown, not a person of greater worth or wealth.
Diligent - a task is worth doing… extremely well. Caterina worked hard her entire life and gave 105% to all tasks she took on. Her kitchen, garden, recipes, cantina and especially, her parent and grandparent roles. She was creative and loved new experiences and challenges. There was no point, therefore, in taking her to an Italian restaurant, since to Caterina it was “what for, give me a loonie and I’ll make you some pasta”.
Genuine - Caterina loved her family, all family. She gave criticism where it was due, she corrected if and where needed, she sometimes was rather “brusque” but only because she was a straight-up, honest person who would rather tell you to your face than tell others and hold a grudge. You always knew where you stood. Caterina was fiercely proud of her children, four grandchildren and one great grandson who were the lights of her life. My most pervasive memory of Caterina is her laugh; how she could laugh! No holds barred, just full-on joy, usually brought about via the hijinks of her grandchildren.
I miss Caterina, my second mom. But I am so honoured to have known her and she will live on. In her own words when times were tough, “whatcha gonna do anyway?” Well-lived and well-loved, always.
Chris
