Catharine Gaudio

GAUDIO, Catharine Anne (Meyer), passed away on July 25, 2009, at the age of 90.

She was born in Wellsburg, West Virginia, on August 3, 1918, the daughter of the later Joseph H. and Mary Della (Dowden) Meyer.

Catharine attended St. John Grade School and graduated from Wellsburg High School. She married her husband, Merle D. Gaudio, on September 5, 1944. Mr. Gaudio passed away on May 24, 2009.

In addition to her parents and husband, Catharine was also preceded in death by her eldest son, Merle David Gaudio, on April 11, 1991, and by her sister, Mary Virginia (Meyer) Stidd.

Catharine is survived by five children, Mary Jeanne Hunt, Marjorie A. Gaudio, Attorney Michael E. Gaudio, and Richard S. Gaudio, all of Follansbee, and Attorney Robert J. Gaudio (Clare) of Wheeling. In addition to her children, Catharine is survived by a sister, Ruth Cusick (Donald) of Wellsburg, W.Va., and a brother, Joseph H. Meyer (Genevieve) of Weirton, W.Va.; six grandchildren, Jo-Ellen Goodall (Harry) of Wellsburg, W.Va., Brent D. Gaudio, Nathan Gaudio and Brianna Gaudio of Pittsburgh, Pa., Elizabeth Gaudio of Baltimore, Md., and David Gaudio of Wheeling, as well as two great-grandchildren, Joseph M. McLane and John C. McLane, of Wellsburg, W.Va.

During her childhood and young adult life, Catharine attended St. John Catholic Church in Wellsburg. She was employed at several jobs, including Eagle Manufacturing and Arkell & Smith. Upon her marriage and moving to Follansbee, she became a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She volunteered much of her life supporting the church and, as well, St. Anthony Grade School and High School. She was a lifelong member of St. Anthony's PTA. She also belonged to the Altar and Rosary Society, the Catholic Daughters, and various church guilds. Catharine was a former member of the Brooke County Democratic Women's Club, AARP, and the St. John's School and Wellsburg High School Alumni Associations.

Above all else, Catharine loved her children. As a foundation for life, Catharine taught her children the importance of God, family and hard work. Raising nine children in her home, she understood hard work and sacrifice. She worked tirelessly for decades with her children's and grandchildren's homework, school projects, and extracurricular activities. Catharine also understood the value of education. She had a lifelong yearning to learn and, in addition to being a voracious reader, she took adult education classes well into her late 70s. She provided a good Catholic education to all of her children. Catharine also assisted every one of her children with their educational pursuits after high school and sacrificed her lifestyle so that all could graduate from college and professional school debt free. Catharine had a very strong faith in God and she lived her life accordingly. She instilled her Christian values in her children and her grandchildren through example and by the way she lived her life. Catharine was the nucleus of the family and she provided a very loving home for her husband and her children, as well as the grandchildren which she helped raise.

To her family and close friends, she was affectionately known as "Katie." In addition to being an avid reader, Catharine wrote poetry and she loved music and the fine arts. She loved to dance and she loved to sing. Catharine also loved to travel and throughout her lifetime, she visited virtually every major country in the world, including Israel, Russia, and Egypt. Catharine loved to laugh and she had a fun loving spirit. She was always looking for a reason to have a party. Catharine was a fabulous cook and was well known for her Christmas Eve parties which were attended by family and friends for many years. She also loved nature and spent much of her free time outdoors planting beautiful flowers, roses and azalea bushes in her yard. Growing up in Wellsburg,

Catharine learned to swim in the Ohio River, and she remained an avid swimmer well into her mid-80s. She loved her beloved Wellsburg and remained true to her "Orange and Black" throughout her entire life. Catharine also loved sports of all kinds. With her father having graduated from the University of Notre Dame, she was a diehard fan of the "Fighting Irish." She relished her trips to the Notre Dame campus, especially on football Saturdays. Catharine also loved the Brooke High Bruins football team and was a season ticket holder since the formation of the school in 1969. Throughout the years, she rooted the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates onto championships and had Super Bowl parties every time the Steelers made the big game. The essence of Catharine, however, was her very kind heart and her giving spirit. Her door was always open to anyone in need. Catharine was a loving soul who lived a life of unselfish service to her church and to her family. She was a devoted wife and loving mother. She always wore a smile and had a kind word to say. She was a wonderful person and a beautiful lady. "Katie" will be sadly missed by all who knew her.

Friends will be received at Reasner Funeral Home, 1515 Charles St., Wellsburg, WV, on Tuesday from 6-8 p.m., and again on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. A Vigil Service will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Follansbee on Thursday, July 30, 2009, at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Peter Giannamore and the Reverend Edmondo Stabene as co-celebrants.

Interment will be in Oak Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Anderson Children's Home, P.O. Box 343, Follansbee, WV 26037, or to St. Anthony's Church, 1017 Jefferson St., Follansbee, WV 26037.

Online Condolences may be sent to reasnerofwellsburg.com