Catherine Gillotti was my step-grandmother. I have so many memories of her, and every single one is warm and happy. She was always joyful and always tender, encouraging, generous, and loving. She was a role model for the community and I miss her dearly.

She and Bob created such an idyllic environment for grandchildren. They kept toys for us in the den by the sliding glass door. Outdoors was make-believe adventures on the wall of their garden and oranges and tangerines and tangelos from their trees. After seeing it in a movie, in MY GIRL, I think, Cathy gave me an empty, unused, syringe as a water gun. I passed the seasons there, among the fruit trees and stone bird baths and fountains, in the many rooms of their home, with their faded-white, corded TV remote, big as a preschool piano, with an axis of low channels up past 50 and a switch to pass between them where the piano keys would be. I remember looking up into the orange trees, Bob pointing out blue jays and cardinals flown into the property, I remember the jars of dried apricots, the scent of wallpaper and linen, they were always cooking and smiling, the house was always clean, I remember the 1960s plates and water glasses, the popsicles and meatballs and fresh fruit and tunafish sandwiches with celery and miracle whip, and the holiday table strewn with piping-hot vegetable dishes and a carved bird— at 14:00 for supper. I remember the cranberry sauce and freshly baked cookies and pies. There was nothing to do one morning so Cathy drove me to the store to buy me a transformer tank, smiling tenderly the whole trip. She gave warm hugs anytime she greeted me at any age, and always encouraged me to smile for the camera. When they moved closer, she often drove me home from middle school, and always with a warm smile. She made me feel safe and loved and she was a model of honesty and sincerity. I’m grateful for the times I had with her and for what she and Bob added to my early years.

With Love, 
From: Brian Christopher Lutz

SONNET 81. “MEMORY”
By: Bri (October 04, 2025)
In memory of Cathy Gillotti

That bloomless pedicel upon the tree
B'reft of its gentle blossom away swept,
Indeed reminds me much of missing thee,
For in your absence, O, how have I wept
Tears for what you could be and what you were;
Years of shelter you gave which I did need;
From only but one tree not another
Did in its shadow I grow and did feed.
That missing blossom, fruit unrealized now,
Unseen sight and yet not unremembered,
I see it, I do, 'pon my mind's eye's bough--
In mem'ry it could not be dismembered.
What is real to us is what helps us grow.
You're not gone, you're as real as what I know.

I offer my condolences to Greg and Linda and to Chris and Susan and their children and grandchildren. 

I am very sad to hear of her passing. 

Cathy was a wonderful and generous woman, a very loving grandmother to Joey and to her step-grandson Brian, and the very best mother-in-law in the world, strong in her convictions, but very loving, and I’ve missed her being a part of my life. 

She was a hard-working, high-energy Registered Nurse, and an excellent cook and seamstress who could mend and sew anything, she told me, from a very young age. She was also a talented haggler at garage sales, finding incredible deals for Bob’s sideline business as well as gently-used clothing that was “as good as new,” prompting Bob to nickname Joey “Second-Hand Joe” for all the beautiful baby boy ensembles she found for him. 😂

(I always smile at the memory of her proudest purchase of a “very good deal” the time she negotiated a beautiful baby outfit of shirt, shorts, socks, and shoes down to 
25 cents! Cathy was so much fun. She was a JOY in my life. ) 

Both Bob and Cathy were wonderful grandparents to both Brian and Joey and the best in-laws. I loved them both very much, as well as Great Grandma Mae, and my boys did, too. 

Bob and Cathy were very strong in their Faith in God and good Catholics. I am praying for the repose of Cathy’s soul and for peace for your whole family as you grieve with the knowledge that she loved you all very much, and that you’ll see her again in Heaven.

May the Blessed Mother Mary cover you all with her Mantle, may the Holy Spirit gift you Consolation, may our Lord Jesus Christ give you Strength, and may God Our Father in Heaven bless you always.

(Note: I’ve recently moved and still unpacking but will upload beautiful pics of Cathy when I unbox the photo albums.)

With love and appreciation for Cathy and your whole family, 

— Susana Maria Rosende

OBITUARY

Catherine Francis Gillotti

14 July, 1933 – 18 September, 2025

Woodlawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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