Catherine Louise (Franzi) Morabito

Catherine Louise (Franzi) Morabito passed away peacefully at her home from chronic heart failure on May 13th, 2021. She was 93 years old, and until six weeks ago lived alone with help from friends.  Catherine was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Nicola Morabito, who died in 1990. She is survived by her daughter, Rosie Morabito Latto, and son-in-law, Douglas Latto, of Acton, MA, and their children, Eli from Boston, and Nicola who lives in Prague, Czech Republic.

Catherine was born at home in Tinsmill on August 25th, 1927 to Giuseppina (Certo) and Lorenzo Franzi. She originally had eight brothers. One died at the age of four, and another in childbirth. Of the other six siblings only Salvatore (Sam) of Latrobe remains. She is predeceased by Sam’s wife, Kathleen;  Placito (Pat) and his wife Dorothy; Frank; Joseph and his wife Lena; Lawrence; and Anthony.  She has two living sisters-in-law, Donna Franzi of Saltzburg, and Theresa Morabito of Wexford, PA.

Catherine is survived by three nephews: David Franzi of Avonmore: Lawrence Franzi of Coraopolis; and Dennis Morabito of Wexford, and two nieces Renee Bottegal of Latrobe and Lorraine Franzi. Catherine also has a niece, Maria Sollazzo of Rome, Italy, and nephew, Natale Sollazzo of Torino, Italy.

During her lifetime Catherine worked at Jiffy Steaks (formerly of Saltsburg) for 12 years as a meat processor. She cooked at the Apollo Elks for nine years, including all the food for Rosie and Doug’s wedding in 1982. In addition, she cooked for the Avonmore Senior Center for seven years, and for her cousins’ restaurant, Calendrella’s, for 17 years until the age of 80.

Her volunteer experiences included serving as a Board Member of the Avonmore Life Savers Ambulance, the Fannie Sellins Lodge, and the Avonmore Senior Center. She was a lifetime member of St. Ambrose Roman Catholic Church and the Altar Rosary Society.

Catherine was devoted to her family and loved to host large family gatherings at holidays. When she was young, she would attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and cook throughout the rest of the morning hours making homemade ravioli and other dishes for Christmas dinner. She was a wonderful baker as well and made delicious pizzelle and other desserts.

Family will receive friends on Saturday May 15, 2021 from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. in the Kelly L. Corridoni Funeral Home Ltd. 400 Indiana Ave., Avonmore, Pa. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday May 17, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. at Saint Ambrose Roman Catholic Church in Avonmore, Pa.  with Father Salvatore Lamendola as Celebrant. Interment will be held at Westview Cemetery in Avonmore. MASKS ARE MANDATORY. 

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