Obituary of Catherine T. Squillante

Catherine Squillante, 93, of Stony Point, passed away on Thursday, December 14th 2023 of natural causes at Nyack hospital surrounded by her loving family. 

Catherine was born in Manhattan, New York on January 15, 1930, to Rocco and Pasqua(Campanelli) Mercurio.  She was one of 7 children.  Catherine went to Cathedral High School until 10th grade and then achieved her GED at age 35 just because she could.  When her mother passed away, Catherine, at the age of 15 quit school to help support and care for her siblings.  She was always a loving, giving caretaker and continued in the roll of matriarch throughout her 93 years.

Catherine married her sweetheart Charles Squillante on May 20, 1950.  Family has always been the love and pride of her life.  She had 9 children but never turned anyone away.  Everyone who came to her home was welcomed,fed and included into her family.

Catherine’s favorite pastime was travel.  Whether by car, plane, train or foot, she loved to see new places. Her second passion was pictures.  Whatever she did, wherever she went she recorded it with post cards, snapshots and videos.  Catherine especially loved taking pictures with her family.

Catherine is predeceased by her husband Charlie, her sisters Jean DiPietro, Rose Herald and Dorothy Squillante, her brothers Leo and Rocco, her son John, her daughter-in-law Linda(Grahn) Squillante and her son-in-law Anthony Michella.

Catherine and Charlie’s family tree consists of 9 children; daughter Christine Johnson (husband Lester), son Charles Squillante(wife Linda Grahn(d)), daughter Cathi Michella (husband Tony(d)), son John(d), son James (wife Meg Strelavitz), daughter Janet Mangold (husband Jeff), son Joseph (Fawn Decker), daughter Carol (Lori Daniels), and son Christopher (wife Alycia Damiani).  From these 9 children, Catherine was blessed with 22 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren and many grandchildren-in-law, and foster grandchildren.   What she considered her immediate family also consisted of dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and neighbors.  We will all remember her as a person who always saw the good in us and enjoyed her life to the max.  She was the grandma with the big heart and open door.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 19th from 4-8pm at TJ McGowan Funeral Home in Garnerville, NY.  Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, December 20th, 11am at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Garnerville, followed by interment at Frederick Loesher Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spring Valley, NY.