Marie V. Catullo

Marie Veronica (Rhodes) Catullo, 95, of Wilmington passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loving family, on Monday, March 24, 2025. She was born in Wilmington on September 2, 1929, to the late Catherine Victoria (August) Rhodes and Elmer Harrison Rhodes. Marie grew up in a large, lively and close-knit household on the "East Side," one of 15 children, five of whom died in infancy. As a young child, she had plenty of playmates with her siblings, school friends at St. Mary's, and other neighborhood children. She often talked of going to "Old Swedes" for children's events, various playgrounds, and Prices Run pool. After attending H. Fletcher Brown High School, she started her early work life as a late teen in Silver's and H. L. Green 5 & 10 stores. She was a quick learner of that trade and soon traveled for the company to assist with new store openings in nearby states.
Marie met her beloved husband, Salvatore when he arrived from Genoa, Italy, to stay with relatives while pursuing citizenship. They married in 1950 and shared 67 years together before Sal passed in 2017. Over these many years, they lived and raised their family in Wilmington Manor, Penn Acres, Highland West, and finally a brand new 55 & Over community, Hershey Run. They also lived briefly at The Summit before returning to Hershey Run. When her children were older, Marie returned to work at George Read and Tower Hill school cafeterias, eventually employed until retirement as a dietary supervisory with the Emily P. Bissell Hospital, State of Delaware
Over the years, Marie especially enjoyed learning to cook Italian dishes from recipes provided by Sal from his mother, aunts, and Buonanotte cousins. She loved get-togethers with her family and Sal's, and spending time with dear friends. Happy memories were made of road trips with her sisters and their brother, Father George to Lancaster County, and annual holiday bus trips to NYC with Carol, sister Helen and niece Peggy, and hosting her annual family Christmas party for many years (even if Sal was usually a party pooper). While living in Penn Acres, she spent many summer days at the pool with Nancy and Maryellen and entertained Sal's Philadelphia Greco relatives for backyard barbeques. Trips to Genoa to visit Sal's immediate family were a highlight in her life.
Marie and Sal were faithful parishioners and Marie a Sodality member of Our Lady of Fatima and St. John the Beloved (where Marie volunteered at the after-school program where she could conveniently keep an eye on her grandson Marcus). In retirement, they were active members and volunteers at the Absalom Jones Senior Center where they greatly enjoyed the friendships made there and daily activities and trips. She was a doting grandmom who treasured times spent with all of her grandkids from childhood into adulthood.
Near lifelong friends, Connie DeBonis, Donata Leone, Cathy Ridgway, Sr. Jamesanne Taggart, and Mary Setting remained dear to her, as well as neighbor, Gwen Picazio and caregiver friend, Latoya Carter.
Marie is survived by her daughter, Carlotta "Carol" Catullo and husband, Ricardo Narvaez; her daughter, Maryellen Murphy and husband, Gary; and her daughter, Nancy Catullo. Her grandchildren are Kristina DeBernardi and husband, Matthew, Melanie Murphy, Marcus Hearne, Samantha Catullo, and great-granddaughter, Mia DeBernardi.
Also surviving are her sisters, Sr. George Mary Rhodes OSF and Margaret Haughney, along with many fondly regarded Rhodes, Setting, Haughney, Minner and Fischer nieces and nephews and their families, along with the Krzywosinski and Merced families.
Marie was predeceased by her sisters, Helen Setting, Regina Fischer and Rita Minner, her brothers, Elmer "Jerry" Rhodes, Henry Rhodes, Rev. George Rhodes and Joseph Rhodes, and special dear niece, Margaret McKay.
In the last years of her life, Marie suffered a paralyzing fall which required daily care from medical professionals and family caregivers Carol, Maryellen, and Ricardo. The family will be forever grateful for the diligent and compassionate care provided Marie by Christiana Care Family Medicine, Bayada Skilled Nursing, Bayada Hospice, and Bayada and Christiana Care Home Health Aides.
All services will be held privately. Marie's family asks only for your thoughts and prayers for her and for them in their bereavement. May favorite remembrances of Marie always bring you smiles.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Marie V. (Rhodes) Catullo, please visit our floral store.