Catherine M. Matera, 92, of Kenosha, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Brookside Care Center. Born on April 23, 1918, in Kenosha, she was the daughter of the late Serafino and Anna (Ricchio) Molinaro. A lifelong resident of Kenosha, she was educated in local schools. On September 7, 1940, she married Albert A. Matera at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. He passed away on June 5, 1984. From 1957 until 1969 she was employed by Kresge’s in downtown Kenosha. Later she worked and volunteered at St. Catherine’s Hospital. She was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Holy Rosary Ladies Society and the Catholic Women’s Club. Catherine loved cooking for extended family on Sunday mornings, spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling to Italy, taking bus trips around the United States and walking. Surviving are a son, Emil (Lynn) Matera of Kenosha; two daughters, Melinda (Honorable Rudolph) Randa of Milwaukee, WI, and Marilyn (Thomas) Westland of Kenosha; a sister, Janet (Ralph) Thayer of Clermont, FL; her grandchildren, Marcia (Bryan) Johnson of Cedarburg, WI, Martin (Jennifer) Matera of Kenosha, Dr. Christopher (Toni) Westland of Ft. Myers, FL, David (Elisabeth) Matera of Rockville, MD, Rudolph Randa of Chicago, IL, and Daniel Randa of Milwaukee, WI; and great-grandchildren, Andrew, Nicholas, Sophia, Emily, Addison and Audrina. She was preceded in death by an infant son, Ronald Matera; two sisters, Anna and Mary; and a brother, Jake Molinaro. Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 3rd, from Proko Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum. Visitation will be held on Sunday at Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Catherine’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Anonymous
So sorry for your loss. I prayer that your memories and the promise of your faith bring you comfort.
Concetta 'Holly' Tomei and Norman Moltar
May 2, 2010
I am sending all of Catherine's family my love, prayers and sweetest of memories that I have had of their dear Mother over these many years that we were friends. I was born in Kenosha and my Mother, Kitty (Brittelli) Tomei and Father, Officer Henry Tomei, were always in contact with Catherine - continuing to maintain that connection with phone calls, visits, letters and cards after we all moved to California. Three years ago my Mother and I visited Kenosha to celebrate her 80th birthday at the Italian American Club. We were joined by Catherine and her daughter, my best friend Melinda Matera Randa, with whom we had visited the Vatican Exhibit the day before. The next evening Melinda prepared an amazing dinner for us in her home, as my mom and Catherine reminisced in the living room.I always called Catherine "my second mom." She NEVER forgot birthdays, or a single holiday, honoring every one of those occasions with lovingly chosen greeting cards - always signed: "Catherine, your second mom."I will always be grateful for her presence in my life, and the lives of my Mother, Father, Husband (Norman) and all of the people she touched with her thoughtfulness, prayers and great love.Spirit travels, and ours in California are with you all in Kenosha.
Mike Serpe
May 1, 2010
Dear Marilyn,Deb and I want you to know how sorry we are at this sad news. You have our deepest sympathy.Mike
Toni Westland
May 1, 2010
She was the rock and the glue of our family. She will be so missed by us all. Lots of love from Florida.Toni, Sophia Catherine, Audrina, and Madison