Catherine D. "Katie" Ricci

Catherine D. "Katie" Ricci, 91, of Dickson City, died May 19, 2021, at home surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald F. Ricci, who died in 1983.

Born in Sturges, she was the daughter of the late John and Anna Novajosky Druther and was a member of St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City, and a graduate of Blakely High School. In the earlier years, she was employed at Billig Shoe Factory in Peckville. Later she joined her husband, working side by side at the family business, Ricci's Furniture & Appliances. Catherine enjoyed her numerous years as a cafeteria mother at St. Mary's Visitation School. She enjoyed the camaraderie so much, she continued volunteering long after her children had graduated from the school.

She looked forward to her weekly afternoon crocheting with the VNA Bereavement Knitting and Crocheting Group and making hats for the My Brother's Keeper charity. She was well known for her beautiful afghans and would start crocheting as soon as she heard that someone she knew was having a baby. Baking and cooking homemade dinners were her specialties, especially ravioli and her famous clothespin cookies. Katie's greatest passion was to attend her grandchildren's extracurricular activities. She could be found being their biggest fan at school plays, sporting events and even dirt track car racing. She affectionately became known as "Gram" to many of her grandchildren's friends as well as the other fans.

The family would like to give their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the VNA Hospice Care staff for their outstanding care and compassion. This includes Rose Ann, Connie, Mary Anne, Mike, Karen and Dorothy. They would also like to thank her companion, Theresa, from Telespond for her friendship and time spent playing cards.

Catherine is survived by her two sons, Ronald and wife, Patricia, Dickson City, and Michael J. and wife, Christine, Dickson City; her daughter, Kathy Crambo and husband, Paul, Nicholson; grandchildren, Jenifer Abeloff and husband, Andrew, Ronald Ricci III and wife, Leslie, Katrina Ricci, Kayla Angelo, Paul Crambo and wife, Madlyn, Jeffrey Crambo and wife, Amanda, Michael A. Ricci and fiancée, Tiffany Souza, and Anthony J. Ricci; and her two great-grandchildren, Caiden Crambo and Ronald Beaux Ricci IV; nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her three sisters, Josephine Germek, Anna Sawchak, and Angela Baransky; and her two brothers, John Gallick and Elmer Druther.

The funeral will be Tuesday, May 25, at 9:30 a.m. from the Frank T. Mazur Funeral Homes Inc., 601 Dundaff St., Dickson City, with Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Visitation Church, Dickson City. Interment will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dickson City. Friends may call Monday, 5 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home. Masks and social distancing will be required at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in Catherine's name can be made to the VNA Memorial Fund, 301 Delaware St., Olyphant, PA 18447.

To leave an online condolence, visit the funeral home website.