Catherine A. DiLaura

Obituary of Catherine A. DiLaura Albion: Catherine Aina DiLaura, was called to be with the Lord on November 21, 2017. Catherine was born to Joseph and Josephine (Sacco) Aina on November 5, 1922. She was predeceased by her husband Ellis (Pic), and her brothers Samuel, Patsy, James (June) and Peter (Barbara) Aina. Catherine is survived by her three children Suzanne Wells (Robert) of Kent, NY, David DiLaura of Albion, and Mary Bullock of Chester, VA, four grandchildren Christopher Wells of Cary, NC, Jennifer Dickerson (Ken) of Hamlin, NY, Corey Bullock (Lori) of Colonial Heights, VA, and Nathan Bullock of Chester, VA, and four great-grandchildren Alice and Josephine Dickerson and Ryushin and Yuka Wells, sister-in-law Norma DiLaura, and many, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Kay loved her family. Those who knew Kay well or met her for the first time, were aware of the love and pride she felt for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Catherine also loved her church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church (Holy Family Parish), where she sang in the choir for 81 years, until she was 94 years old. We credit Kay’s longevity to her active life and love of music. She sang for weekly mass, weddings, funerals, and every holiday and Catholic event. Kay attended daily mass for over 30 years. And after daily mass, she met a group of dear friends who shared stories and laughs. Kay was the founding member and joyfully invited many women to join the group which was coined the “McChurch” ladies by her young granddaughter at the time! The group will live on with new members, with Kay watching over them and laughing at the group’s antics. Kay’s father came from Mussomeli, Sicily. In 1997, Kay was the recipient of the Mussomeli Award at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Buffalo, NY, where each year the church honors a special descendant of Mussomeli at the Madonna of the Miracles Festival. This annual festival commemorates the healing of a “paralytic” in the Sicilian village of Mussomeli in 1530 by intercession of the Virgin Mary. Kay was a graduate of Albion High School and Rochester Business Institute. In her younger years she worked for Bausch and Lomb and the Albion State Training School for Women. Until Kay’s 94th year, she could be seen around town volunteering for organizations such as Hospice of Orleans County and the Office for the Aging helping to assemble thousands of newsletters, making food for the church bereavement committee, making afghans and selling tickets for St. Joseph’s annual lawn fete. Kay was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Ladies of Charity. Kay’s life was not driven by fame or fortune but by the measure of her generosity. Kay never met a stranger. Many friends and family will miss Kay’s Italian cooking. Lasagna, Cannoli, cucchidati, pizzelles, pies, and other delights were enjoyed by so many over the years. Family always looked forward to the annual care package of homemade Christmas cookies. The Group Home of Albion loved Kay and she loved them dearly for their loving care of her son David, a resident. The residents and staff there looked forward to weekly visits and the homemade cookies which she gave them for holidays. During her stay at the Hospice of Orleans County, Kay was touched by the number of friends and family who visited her. They shared their love and admiration for her. Kay inspired so many by her strong and lively personality, her faith in God, and her witty sense of humor. The matriarch of our Italian family. The end of a generation. We will deeply miss our mother, but know she is now with those she loved, who departed before her, including the love of her life, her husband and our father, Ellis (Pic) DiLaura. We are comforted knowing that when we see our mom again, we are sure to find her singing her heart out among the choir of angels. Please join our family at the Christopher Mitchell Funeral Home, 21 West Avenue, Albion, on November 24th at 3-5 PM and 7-9 PM. Her Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church-Holy Family Parish on November 25th at 10 AM. Interment will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Nathan Bullock Fund, 6009 Oak Landing Drive, Chester, VA 23831, The Holy Family Parish, 106 South Main Street, Albion, NY 14411, or the Hospice of Orleans County, P.O. Box 489, Albion, NY 14411.