Obituary of Catherine "Katie" G. DeLeo

Rochester- Catherine "Katie" G. DeLeo, 91, passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, surrounded by the love of her family.

Katie was born in Sheffield, PA on January 31, 1933. She was the daughter of the late Serafino "Sam" and Grace (Tigani) DeLeo.  Summers were spent in Fredonia NY harvesting fruit and vegetables with her family. As a teenager, she worked at the family grocery store cutting meat and waiting on customers. After graduating from Sheffield High School, Katie went on to business school in Rochester NY where she acquired a secretarial degree.  After completing school, she worked briefly at a Veterans Affairs Hospital in Virginia and then was employed as an Administrative Secretary in the Office of Medical Services at the United States Department of State. Katie traveled to Germany and was a part of the staff from the State Department that assisted in the January 1981 release program of the 52 U.S. hostages taken by Iran.

In 1992 after an accomplished career at the State Department, Katie retired and moved to Florida (out of the cold!), where she enjoyed time with friends and family.  She was very active in her church there, attended Mass daily and gave of her time and heart to many. She liked to travel, read, and engage in conversation with those who came across her path. Katie was kind, loving, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She delighted in being with children and they reciprocated the attention and love she showered on them. “Oh man” Katie, we will miss you!

She is survived by her brother, Patsy DeLeo, sister-in-law Judy Holland, nieces Grace Marie Dewey, Pauline DeLeo, Lisa (Gordon) DeLeo-Sage, nephews, Sam (Nanci) DeLeo, Joe (Karen) DeLeo, Sam (Venus) DeLeo, Mark DeLeo.  Several great nieces and great-great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

She is predeceased by her parents Serafino and Grace M. (Tigani) DeLeo, brothers, Sam and Joseph DeLeo, sister, Sister Domenica DeLeo RSM, sisters-in-law Elvira DeLeo and Ruth DeLeo, nephew Don (Maxine) DeLeo, niece Lauren (Dan) Barrows.

Calling hours will be held at Falvo Funeral Home, 1295 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road, Webster, NY 14580, on Sunday, August 18, 2024, from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 43 Gebhardt Rd. Penfield, NY 14526, on Monday, August 19, 2024, at 11:30 am. Burial will be held at St. Joseph Cemetery, 111 Mohawk Avenue, Warren, PA, 16365 on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 1:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Katie’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, in her memory.