Kathleen Marie Caruana

UTICA < Kathleen Marie Caruana, 44, of Deerfield Drive East, Utica, formerly of Auburn, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2008, at St. Luke"s Hospital in Utica, after a year-long battle with cancer. She was born in Auburn, the daughter of Stephen and Bernice Brown Caruana and had been a resident of both Auburn and Utica. Kathy attended Thorton Avenue Elementary School, West Middle School, Auburn High School, Auburn Community College, SUNY Geneseo and received her master"s degree at Syrcause University. Kathleen was employed as a school librarian for more than 20 years at Albany Street School in Utica. She participated in writing grants for the school district and was nominated Educator of the Month in December 2007. Kathy also worked part time at Mohawk Valley Community College as a research librarian. She was an avid photographer and enjoyed the many hours she spent working with various crafts, especially knitting and crocheting She cherished the many hours spent with her family and friends, and had a special closeness with her nieces and nephews. She is survived by her longtime companion, Steven Rupp, of Utica; her parents, Stephen and Bernice Caruana, of Auburn; a sister, Michele Tarby and her husband, Christopher, of Auburn; four brothers, James Caruana and his wife, Mauricette, of New Jersey, Stephen J. Caruana, of Brooklyn, Robert Caruana and his wife, Tina, of Auburn, and Patrick Caruana, of New York City; two uncles, John Caruana and his wife, Janet, of Whitesboro, and Frank Robert Brown and his wife, Deborah, of Auburn; three nieces, Zelina Holmes, Kayleen Caruana, Rachel Tarby; two nephews, Samuel Caruana and Christopher Tarby; two cousins, Michael and Tim Brown; as well as many friends. Kathleen was predeceased by a brother, Christopher Caruana; her paternal grandparents, James and Rose Caruana; and her maternal grandparents, Robert and Edith Brown. Friends and relatives are invited to join the family at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1, in St. Alphonsus Church for Kathleen"s Mass of Christian burial with the pastor, Rev. Louis Vasile as celebrant. Burial will be in St. Joseph"s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, at the Pettigrass Funeral Home, 196 Genesee St., Auburn. Contributions may be made in Kathleen"s memory to the Albany Street School, PTO, Albany St., Utica, NY 13501. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.