Obituary of Catherine Adolfi

Catherine Ceravolo Adolfi Catherine Ceravolo Adolphi, daughter of Francesco and Maria Teresa Voci Ceravolo, grew up on First Street in Rome, New York. Francesco, originally from Valefiorita, and Teresa, originally from Staletti, both villages in provincia Catanzaro, Italy, raised Catherine in a fiercely proud Italian family with strong family values. She carried those values with her all through her life and this became her major legacy. Married to Joe Adolfi in 1940, the couple had three children, Barbara, Nancy and Henry. Catherine, also known as "Kate," ran a corner grocery store with Joe from 1946-1984. She became a shrewd business woman, successfully managing all aspects of the business, often working seven days a week from 7a.m.-11p.m. This determimation for a better life extended to her children whom she sent to Georgetown, Wheelock and Amherst Universities. Kate and Joe loved adventure and traveled to Italy, Greece, Mexico and around the U.S. Even as a widow Kate continued to travel and went to Alaska, Hawaii, on a Carribean Cruise and to Mexico for her grandson's wedding. She and Joe went to stay with each of their children for extended visits and have been a dearly loved part of the grandchildren's lives. Perhaps their biggest adventure was selling their home in Rome, N.Y., in 1993, and moving to Washington State. This opened new vistas for them and they never regretted the change. Kate lived alone for awhile after Joe died in 1997, but has since then rotated her residence among her children in Massachusetts, Virginia, and California. Kate has a community of adoring friends in each of these places, all of whom enjoyed her wonderful cooking and all now celebrating her life. Kate has a special relationship with each of her 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and those she "adopted." From roaring cheers at roller derby competitions to rocking the newest babies, Kate never let an opportunity to go by to be involved and love them all. The earth will never be the same without her, but we are certain that she is already sending Joe out to his heavenly garden for fresh basil, parsley and zucchini so she can start cooking! Catherine will have a very brief Chapel service on Thursday, March 12th, at 10:30a.m. at St. John's Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to lunch and reminiscences at the Toccolana Club, 1412 E. Dominick St., immeadiately afterwards. Catherine benefitted from the support of the Parkinson's Disease Foundation. In Lieu of flowers, please send donations to them at: suppot.pfd.org Arrangements are by the Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home,Inc., 218 W. Court St.