Catherine A. “Chi Chi” Schiaffino, 79, of Kenosha, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2010, at St. Catherine’s Medical Center from respiratory complications. Catherine was the daughter of the late Anthony “Tony” and Letitia (Maoli) Pezzin. She was born on May 6, 1931, in Highland Park, IL. On March 1, 1975, she married Eugenio “Gino” A. Schiaffino, who preceded her in death on August 26, 2010. She attended Kenosha Schools and graduated from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1949. She was first employed at Coopers as a seamstress, was a past president of the Kenosha Alpine Club Ladies Auxiliary, and after raising a family, enjoyed many years of employment as a nurse’s aide at Kenosha Memorial Hospital. In retirement, she devoted many hours of volunteer work doing basic financial advising through the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. In her spare time, Catherine enjoyed reading classic literature, cooking, traveling, and gardening. She had a passion for learning and was especially fond of spending time engaging family and friends in deep conversation. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and in recent years she enjoyed attending functions at the Kenosha Senior Citizen’s Center. She is survived by her sister, Virginia Peters and her half –brother, Oscar Meller; three children, Marie (Edward) Tovo, Tom Ceschin, and Tony (Linda) Ceschin; three step children, Eugene Schiaffino, Joseph (Karen) Schiaffino, and Gilda (Roger) Smith; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and also many cousins, nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 28th, at the Proko Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and also on Wednesday at the funeral home from 10:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Following the visitation on Wednesday there will be a committal service at Green Ridge Cemetery.Proko Funeral Home & Crematory5111-60th StreetKenosha, WI 53144Phone: (262) 654-3533Visit Catherine’s Online Memorial Book at:www.prokofuneralhome.com
Condolences
Jane Powers
October 1, 2010
To Gino and Catherines Family. Such a difficult loss of this wonderful couple so closely apart. Though we will miss them dearly, they are in God's arms together againAll my prayers, Jane (The Mail Lady)
Heidi Ceschin Senesac
September 29, 2010
Marie, Tom, Tony and families - I'm very sorry for your loss. I have some very fond memories of Auntie ChiChi and I'm sure you will all miss her tremendously. All my love - Heidi
bruce and peggy furlin
September 28, 2010
what a nice picture of chi chi was selected for display here. it captures her smile perfectly...and she smiled alot. she always had a good word for you...she was just a great person...the kind we need more of in this world. peggy remembers her for always asking us if we had our trip to Italy planned yet...and for giving us tips on the best places and the best times to go over there.(hopefully we'll get there one of these days, chi chi).I know my mom thought of chi chi like a sister.she will be missed by many.our condolences to Marie, Tommy, and Tony...and your families.Peace...
Letitia (Peters) Trathen
September 27, 2010
There are so many memories I have of Auntie Chichi that is hard to pick just one. One thing that not many know is of all the Aunts that I had Auntie Chichi was my favorite, only because she was always willing to listen and help and not judge. I will always remember the times I spent at her house that Gino and her redid. I know I can speak for all my siblings is that she was a great second mom. She is already missed, but she is with Gino now.