Mary Rose Catanzaro

Our dear mother Mary Rose Catanzaro sadly passed away on Saturday morning, September 17th, 2022 at the age of 89. She had almost made it to her 90th birthday. She died from natural causes stemming from a deteriorating heart condition. She died in her home in New York City, in the arms of her beloved son Mark Catanzaro.

Mary also leaves her daughter, Laura Catanzaro (Laura Pattison) of Boston, Massachusetts. She leaves two brothers, Frank Principe of New Jersey, and Victor Principe (John Renninger) of New York. Additionally, she leaves two sisters—Renee Bilotti of Rome Italy, and Claudia (Russell) Faller of Upstate New York.

Mary leaves dear nieces and nephews in both the US and Italy—Edvige, Mario, Roberto, Daniela and Federico Bilotti. She leaves Gregory Principe (Alison Sarver) of New York, and many grand nieces and grand nephews. She leaves various cousins on both sides of the extended family.

Maria Rosaria (Mary) was born in Cosenza, Italy—the eldest child of Eugene and Anna Principe. She was the widow of John Catanzaro, also originally from Cosenza. Mary and John came to this country in the 1950’s, and later moved to the Yorkshire Towers building on 86th Street, where Mary lived for 54 years. Mary had friends in the building, and was known as something of a character.

A Memorial Mass is being held at Saint Joseph’s church at 404 east 87th Sreet, at 10 AM Saturday morning, September 24, 2022.

In life, Mary Rose was generous, strong, persevering, wonderful, and difficult. We will never forget her. Come share with us the pain of losing her, and remember the joy and laughter that her presence among us had brought. She had a profound impact on everyone she knew. She will be sorely missed.