Catherine Giambrone, 96
Bella Mama!
You’re home with Jesus!
We rejoice for you, though we miss you so much! Catherine Giambrone, our precious mother, great-grandmother and grandmother was received by our Lord and Savior on May 29, 2010.
Catherine was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 14, 1914, to Rocco and Magdalena De Beneditto, Italian immigrants who had a vision of a new beginning, and a better life in America.
Sadly, Catherine’s father died when she was only 3 years old. Her mother, finding herself a widow with six children in a county whose language and customs she did not understand, made the decision to return with her children to her family in Naples, Italy.
Though life was difficult in their poor village, their profound faith in God and love for one another helped them through these difficult times, as Catherine grew up.
At the age of 16 she and her 14-year-old brother Martin returned to America to follow her older brother Sam and sister Mary who had worked together to provide passage for them; and eventually their loving mother also joined them. This devoted family lived together for many years in Brooklyn. Catherine’s dear brother Martin who was her “protector,” promised their mother that he would not marry until Catherine was married. He kept his promise faithfully!
This beautiful, tender-hearted Italian lady with sparkling blue eyes and a contagious smile captured the heart of Frank Giambrone immediately! They were married nine months later in 1938. God blessed them with four healthy children, Francis, Ronald, Carol and James.
Years later, Catherine and Frank went through the indescribable heartache of loosing their 17-year-old son Ronald, a passenger in an auto accident, and their eldest son Francis 52, due to an illness.
The faith that she received from God always sustained her even through the loss of her beloved husband Frank, after 68 years of marriage.
Her life was a witness to our Lord Jesus as she expressed His unconditional love for others, by bringing them comfort and joy! She had a servant’s heart and a genuine love for people with a passion to tell others that God loved them!
She was well known for her original Italian recipes that she shared along with welcoming people to her dinner table, preparing countless delicious meals for her guests.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Roger; son and daughter-in-law James and Linda; grandchildren Julie, Erich, Lhanzi and Kubahan; great-grandchildren Yale, Dakota, Elisabeth and Baruch; brother and sister-in-law Martin and Anna; an abundance of nieces and nephews and cherished faithful friends.
We thank our heavenly Father for His mercy, His faithfulness and His grace throughout her life to the very day He took her home with Him.
A memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 17, 2010, at St. George’s Catholic Church, 2004 N. Lucas St., Post Falls, followed by a luncheon in the church dining room downstairs.