Catherine L. Nardella

Nardella, Catherine L. NISKAYUNA Catherine L. Nardella, entered into eternal life on March 17, 2011, at the Eddy Heritage House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Troy, following a long illness. Born in Troy on September 1, 1931, "Kay", as she was so lovingly known to by many, was the daughter of the late John P. and Lena Casolo Nardella. She was raised in Watervliet, where she graduated from Watervliet High School, and later attended Siena College in Loudonville. In earlier years, Kay was employed by the State of New York, and worked for several agencies which included the Civil Service Department, the Education Department, the Temporary State Housing Rent Commission and the Governor's Office. While in the employ of the Upstate Deputy Rent Administrator, Kay was assigned to the Conference of Governors in Harriman, N.Y., and met Patrick J. Moynihan, the Assistant Secretary to then Governor W. Averill Harriman, and was offered a position with the Executive Chamber as his secretary. Kay was later employed by Jonathan Bingham who served as Secretary to Governor W. Averill Harriman. Mr. Bingham later went on to become a Congressman for the 23rd District of New York. Kay resigned from the Executive Chamber in 1960 and assumed the position of legal secretary to Vorton B. Boghosian, Esq. in Latham. In 1962, she became a principal in Century Real Estate, Inc., and in 1968 organized her own insurance agency, the Nardella Agency, Inc., of which she was the president and operated until her retirement in 1993. Kay had a flair for style and good taste and this was reflected in the clothes she wore and in the way she decorated her home. She enjoyed entertaining at home and her family and friends will remember, with a smile, that although she was blessed with an eye for style, her culinary skills were not quite of the same order and an invitation to her home usually meant bringing along a prepared food item to help make the party a success. Kay loved music, the opera, Saratoga Polo, golfing, the Saratoga Race Course, shopping, visiting new restaurants, and traveling. She was a lifelong member of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Watervliet. Kay's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Nurses and staff of the Eddy Heritage House and the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County for the care they have given to Kay and the support they offered to us during her illness, and special thanks to Catherine Donato, our cousin, for her guidance and compassion during this journey. Kay was the much loved sister of Elizabeth T. "Betty" Salerno (late Joseph) of Watervliet and Anna R. Nardelli (late Frank) of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; the dear aunt of Ann Marie Salerno Rosen (David) of West Palm Beach, Fla., Patricia Holland of Watervliet, Teresa Lena Goodsell (Christopher) of Walpole, Mass. and Frank P. Nardelli, II (Shana Lynn) of Livonia, Mich.; cherished great-aunt of Christopher Holland (Erica) and Joseph Holland of Watervliet, Sophia and Francesca Goodsell of Walpole, Mass. and Annalin and Callie Nardelli of Livonia. Kay is also survived by her long time caring friend, Joyce Beckley of Niskayuna. The funeral will be Wednesday, at 9:30 a.m. from the Parker Bros. Memorial, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet and at 10:30 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Shrine Church, State Street, Troy, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home on Tuesday, from 4 until 7 p.m. The family would prefer that in place of customary remembrances, friends remember Kay in a special way by donating to the Alzheimer's Association, Pine West Plaza, Bldg 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205 or to the Eddy Heritage House, 2920 Tibbits Avenue, Troy, NY 12180. Condolence book and directions at www.ParkerBrosMemorial.com