Laura G. Catani

Hyannis- Laura Grassi Catani (Catignani) was born November 17, 1924 on Parmenter Street in the North End of Boston and died at the Cape Cod Hospital surrounded by her family on February 13, 2015. She attended Boston English High School and Boston University’s College of Liberal Arts, where she earned a Bachelors degree in Biology. While at BU, she met her husband of 63 years, Roland Catani (Catignani) who was attending BU’s College of Business Administration.

After graduation, she began her career doing cancer research in a laboratory at Mass General and then at the Lahey Clinic in Boston’s Back Bay. As time went on, she transitioned to become a High School Biology teacher at Brighton, Xaverian Brothers and Dover-Sherborn High Schools. Roland and Laura resided in Dover, MA, spending many happy summers at her family’s home on the Cape until they relocated there year-around in 1973.

Her life-long passion was Global Nuclear Disarmament for which she belonged to many ‘like-minded’ organizations with whom she attended two related sessions at the United Nations, including ‘die-in protests’. She supported political candidates that were sympathetic to the same goals. On January 13, 2015, she received a reply from President Obama to her most recent letter advocating nuclear policy change. As an anti-war activist, she lobbied for the end of the Vietnam War.

In retirement, some of her happiest times were with Roland in their condominium in Dania Beach, Florida. She attended Mass at St. Francis Xavier in Hyannis and Our Lady of Victory in Centerville. A lifelong music lover, she played the piano for her operatic singing mother, Amelia and had interest in all classical music.

Laura is survived by her son, Roy Catignani, his wife, Judy, and their three children, Sarah, Brian, and Emily Catignani, who will all, miss her very much. She always had her extended family in her heart including the Battaglinis and Grassis, and her many cousins. She also maintained contact with the Grassi Family of Avezzano, Italy.

Visiting hours are 6-9 PM this Friday, February 20 at Doane, Beal & Ames, 160 West Main Street, Hyannis, MA. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM this Saturday, February 21at Saint Francis Xavier Church, 347 South Street, Hyannis, MA.

Donations can be made to any Catholic charity in Laura G. Catani name.