Catherine Gallerizzo

Born in Washington, D.C. to Italian Immigrants, Orazio Vagnoni and Maria Carmela Capone, Catherine was a graduate of Eastern High School, class of 1943.

A devout Catholic, Catherine spent much of her life at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, which was founded by Italian immigrants. She was a classically trained pianist and organist, and was the official organist at Holy Rosary for several years while in her 20’s. Catherine also assisted her father and uncle, Biagio, in their grocery store, The Apollo Market. Her claim-to-fame was serving large scoops of ice cream that customers would line up around the block.

Catherine loved cooking, baking, needlecrafts, sewing and floral arranging. One evening, she went over to the Gallerizzo house with her mother, where her soon to be stepfather, Agostino DiCamillo, was a boarder, to celebrate his son’s birthday with a cake she baked. It was there that she met the love of her life, William, and they were married 3 months later on February 4, 1951. They were married for almost 49 years. Together, they had three children: William, Peter, and Carmela.

Catherine’s career spanned multiple disciplines. She served as an executive secretary for the regional offices of Paramount Pictures, Warner Brothers, and Franklin Life Insurance. She was also the Assistant to the Photo Editor at the National Catholic News Service and the Membership Director for the Retail Bakers of America. She loved sharing stories about her time in the film industry and met many Hollywood stars. Her favorite story to share was receiving a cream puff from Charlton Heston.

Catherine was devoted to her family and friends. She instilled in her children and grandchildren a great love of their Italian heritage and would spend many a Sunday cooking homemade sauce and macaroni. She passed down the tradition of her mother’s 5 course Italian Christmas Feast and her children and grandchildren continue to make this meal every Christmas. Known as “Gagi” by her grandchildren, the name became her trademark for many things including “Gagi camp,” the “Gagi-sweater” and the “Gags-mobile.”

Catherine did not let old-age slow her down. She learned how to use a computer, the internet, a Kindle, and a cell phone. She was often known to text some of her grandchildren and even managed her own Facebook account and Pinterest page. She said she was most likely the oldest person on Facebook.

Catherine was a pure example of warmth and love to all who knew her.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her siblings Anna M. (Joseph) Rood, Louis A. (Martha) Vagnoni and Matilda Rose Vagnoni, step-brother Nicola DiCamillo, and her son Peter A. She is survived by her step-sister, Amelia (Raymond) Liccini, and children Deacon William O. (Rebecca); daughter-in-law, Constance; and Carmela A. (Christopher) Fiora. She is also survived by her nine grandchildren: Joseph (Susan), Elizabeth (Christopher), Marco (Tanya), Ryan (Colleen), Constance Ann (James), Giulia (Eric), Catherine, Anna, and Anthony; and 11 great-grandchildren: Hillary, Alanna, Sean, Isabella, Rowan, Devin, Samantha, Michael, Kai, Gabriel, and Grace.

A private vigil followed by the Mass of Christian Burial, for immediate family only, will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 595 3rd Street NW, Washington, D.C. on August 17. Private interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 595 3rd Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20001-2703.