Katherine Katie M. Toscano

She was born in Greenfield, Mass., on June 10, 1924. She was the daughter of Matteo and Giovanina (Alonzo) Masiello.

Katie was a lifelong resident of Keene and she worked for many years at her brother Fred’s grocery store, the Beaver Street Market in Keene. She was also employed at the Ye Goodie Shoppe and the Molly Shop in her younger years, both in Keene. She was a parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Church in Keene.

Katie loved shopping, traveling, playing cards, and was never hesitant to open her home, her wallet, and her cupboard to help others. Her greatest love was being with and cooking for her family. On holidays the entire family would always gather at Nana’s house for one of her feasts, and there were always extra place settings at the dining room table for those who might not have had any other place to go. She was always aware of those people who she felt were not as fortunate as she. She worked tirelessly to help people in and around the Keene area who may have needed a helping hand. She was the recipient of a number of recognitions and awards over the years for her work. She also held a special place in her heart for all animals, especially her dogs. She treated all of God’s creatures with the same kind of gentle spirit she showed to people.

She is survived by a son, Michael A. Toscano and his wife Sharon of Keene, a daughter, Sandra T. Raabe and her husband David of Westmoreland. Her grandchildren, Christian Raabe of Westmoreland, Tracy Beard and her husband Rich of Keene, Bethany Shinnick and her husband Michael of Stoneham, MA., Anthony Toscano and his wife Amy of Fitzwilliam, and her loving great grandchildren, Luke, Joel and Katherine Beard, Cameron and Cooper Shinnick, and Emma and Michael Toscano. Her husband of 48 years, Anthony F. Toscano, died in 1994.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning, August 17, 2011, at 10:00 AM in St. Margaret Mary Church, 33 Arch Street, Keene, NH. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, Main Street, Keene. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mrs. Toscano’s memory to either the Activities Fund or the Auxiliary Fund at Maplewood Nursing Home, 201 River Street, Westmoreland, NH 03467.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, is assisting the family with the arrangements.