Catherine M. DiFilippi

My prayers are for you and your family. I remember the loss of my mom at age 73 and the memories are what keep us strong. Bring out those growing up years and times with your mom to hug close.
Norma Myers

I have many happy memories of Aunt Catherine from my childhood. Especially her hearty laugh. Rest In Peace Aunt Catherine. See you on the other side. Love your niece, Kathy

Diane, We are so sorry for your loss and are praying for you and your entire family. In Him, Mike and Dawn Gallogly

So sorry for your loss .Praying for comfort and peace . Much love.

Memories of My Mother

I had many conversations with my mother through the years. The older we became the more I understood her many struggles and disappointments that only her only daughter could relate tofor they were similar to my own.

On this day, shortly after learning of her passing, many vivid memories of her began to surface. Her life was not an easy one, yet she did the best she couldand the following memories are why I know she did:

My first memory of my Mother was when I was around the age of 2she held me and stayed up with me most of the night. I can still see her and hear her trying to console me as she gave me cough medicine over the kitchen sink knowing that I would spit it out.

She would take me to downtown Brooklyn quite often to Lynns, a children's clothing where she would buy me dressesone day in particular she gave me a life saver candy, then became my lifesaver when the candy got enlarged in my throatthe sales associates gave me water hoping I would be able to wash it downthat was not good enough for my Mothershe literally turned me upside down and pulled it out with her finger.

I spent many summers either at my Grandmother's house in Brooklyn or with my Aunt and Uncle in Port Jefferson, Long Island. I was at my Aunt and Uncle's house the week of my birthday. I kept wondering the day of my birthday why she didn't call and wish me a happy birthday. I kept asking my Aunt to call her and she said don't worry your mother will call you. My Uncle went out and got lobsters and made a special dinner for me, but I was still upset that I didn't hear from her. After dinner the doorbell rang and my Aunt asked me to answer itI opened the door and was surprised to see her holding my birthday cake.

I must say the happiest I ever saw her was the day her first grandchild, my daughter Jo Ann was born, and I'm happy to say that Jo Ann got the best of her. Her mother passed away when Jo Ann was 7 months old and she always told me how having my daughter in her life helped her through the loss of her mother. She was certainly blessed to witness the birth of her first great granddaughter Morgan which came in a close second to the day Jo Ann was born.

When she would visit me in Florida he would wait up for my son Jarrod to come home and night just to watch ESPN with him. She would start out talking to him about sports and then would ask him probing questions about his lifethis I know he will always remember.

She made a point of coming down to Florida for my daughter Jenna's Junior High School graduation because she missed so much of her growing up since we moved to Florida when she was 3 weeks old. She said that she wanted to make sure that she got be there for Jenna since she feared that she may get too old to travel by the time she graduated High School.
The last time she visited me, I was sharing with her some of the disappointments in my life through many tearsshe came over to me and put her arms around me and said, Diane, Mommy understands.
The last time I spoke to her, her last words to me were, I love you baby and I will be forever grateful that they were her last words to me.

Many people would say that I didn't resemble her or have her personalityyet my children will say some of my mannerisms and statements remind them of her. I am happy to say that I did inherit her strength and constant pursuit of the truth. She was a fighter that never went down easy and continued to be that way to the very end. There were many times we didn't see eye to eye, yet I knew for better or worse that she was the mother God chose for me and thus helped mold me into the person He designed me to be. I will keep the above memories always in my heart which will keep her close to me.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.