Maryann Cataldo

Maryann Cataldo was born in the Bronx in 1936 and passed away on January 28th in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She was a vibrant, outgoing, talented, hard-working woman who fought and persevered through many challenges in her life. Maryann was the only child of Mary Pancarik and Rudolph Schwabe. As a child of divorced parents, Maryann was raised by a tough, single mother who then died when Maryann was only 16 years old. She was proud that she was able to study ballet for 13 years while her mother was still alive. Maryann lived for a few years with her aunt and uncle and then graduated early from high school. As a teenager, she worked at the famous Nedick's fast food restaurant near the old Yankee stadium, and later as a switchboard operator and dispatcher for Union Carbide in NYC. After she became a parent, Maryann drove a school bus for several years for Haverstraw Transit. She would tell colorful stories of her time as a bus driver, and she even drove the bus for the North Rockland High School Swim Team. Later, she became a valued receptionist and office manager at the dental offices of Ferber and Dubrowsky. Maryann met and married Martin Michael O'Connell when she was 20 years old, and they had their first son, Marty, one year later. Their second child, Eddie, was born three years later, and then Tommy arrived five years after that. The O'Connell's raised their family in Yonkers and then in Garnerville, New York. Boy Scout activities, swim meets, band practice, cello lessons and recitals kept them all very busy. After 20+ years of marriage, Maryann and Martin eventually divorced. Tommy has fond memories of taking a two-week road trip with his mother to down the coast, going to Washington DC, Blue Ridge Mountains, Virgina Beach, and the Ocracoke Island off the coast of North Carolina, after the divorce. Maryann met Joseph Cataldo while she was working as an office manager, and they later married. They were active members of St. Peter's parish in Haverstraw, and they could often be seen on stage in the annual Passion Play. Maryann started making custom cakes for all occasions, and she received enthusiastic praise for her beautiful, delicious creations! After Joe retired, they moved to the Poconos in PA and then began traveling and taking cruises. Some of their favorite trips were to Italy, Ireland, London, Germany, and Alaska. When they moved to Hemlock Farms in PA, Maryann and Joe became very involved at St. Vincent DePaul parish. They taught CCD classes together, and she sang in the choir and was sometimes a Cantor. Maryann and Joe enjoyed taking casino trips to Atlantic City, and they spent three months of each year being snow birds in Myrtle Beach. In her leisure time, Maryann enjoyed doing needlepoint and crocheting, and her sons have some of her needlepoint projects framed in their homes. After Joe became sick and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, Maryann became his primary caregiver. Joe passed away in 2016, and Maryann mourned his death for the remainder of her life. Maryann is survived by her sons and their partners: Marty O'Connell and Lori Snow of Congers, NY; Eddie O'Connell and Patti Coleman of Garnerville, NY; and Tom and Jeannine O'Connell of East Stroudsburg, PA. Maryann enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren: Sean, Ryan, Kyle (his wife Alene), and Kayleigh. Maryann developed relationships with Joe's four children over the years: Josine Young (John), Michael Cataldo (Alison), Linda Vairo (Kenny), and Joe Cataldo (Tracy). She tried to stay in touch with Joe's grandchildren: Matthew, Danielle, Nicole, Kenneth Jr, Jake, and Luke. Maryann is also survived by her half-sisters, Ellen Waterman and Laura Yavorcik. In her last few years, Maryann's health declined, and she transitioned into living with her son and daughter-in-law in East Stroudsburg. She enjoyed playing Bingo and socializing with new friends at the Loder Senior Center. She still enjoyed an occasional trip to a casino and receiving visits from family members and treasured friends. Maryann would say that her favorite companion, after Joe's death, was her cat, Maggie. She lived with Maryann at her home in Hemlock Farms, moved with her to East Stroudsburg, and then to Maryann's final home at Asbury Grace Park Senior Living in Stroudsburg. As her health declined, she was cared for by Serenity Hospice Care. It is notable that Maryann was a breast cancer survivor of over 10 years. She rebounded again and again from hardship, including multiple strokes and knee replacement surgeries. Family and friends are invited to a visitation on Thursday, February 6th, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at the William H. Clark Funeral Home, 1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow beginning at 1:00PM at St. Matthew's Roman Catholic Church in East Stroudsburg with Rev. Brian J.T. Clarke as celebrant. The graveside service and burial will take place on Friday, February 7th, at noon at Gethsemane Cemetery in Congers, NY. Maryann will forever live on in the hearts and memories of the people that knew her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of the following charities: Asbury Foundation,5285 Westview Drive Suite 200, Frederick, MD 21703, 301-250-2100, https://www.asbury.org/foundation/ or National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. Give - National Breast Cancer Foundation