Sr. Caterina Isonni, Fmm

Sr. Caterina Isonni 93, Franciscan Missionary of Mary, Ein Karim Community, died July 15, 2015, at St Antoine's Residence. She was born in Ossimo Inferiore, Italy the daughter of the late Antonio and Teresa (Conti) Isonni.She attended school in the Village of Ossimo and after completing her studies there, attended High School in Milano with the Sisters of St. Dorothy. At a very young age, Caterina felt a call to be a missionary. At a very young age also, Caterina joined a Catholic Action Group. As a young teenager, she went to Castelnuovo to take a course that would qualify her to teach young girls who would be joining the Catholic Action Group. Here, at Castelnuovo Caterina met the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary and, her call to be a missionary so long ago, began to blossom once again. All this was happening to Caterina during a very stressful time when Italy was suffering from the ravages of World War II.Sister Caterina entered the Novitiate of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary at Grottaferrata on Sept 15, 1945. She made her first vows also at Grottaferrata on March 10, 1948. Her final vows were made in the U.S.A. on March 19th, 1951. Initially, Sister Caterina was chosen to go to the missions in China but because of political difficulties in that country this was not possible. She left instead for the U.S.A. being missioned to care for the physically and mentally disabled children at a new foundation, Kennedy Memorial Hospital now known as Franciscan Hospital for Children. Sister remained at Kennedy Memorial Hospital for twenty-three years as the supervisor for a group of boys whom she cared for with skill and understanding. She also contributed her natural expertise to overseeing the House Keeping and Laundry Services. Of this part of her missionary experience, Sister Caterina said, "You had to be a Mother to the children - to understand as much as possible their needs and to assist them in their difficulties. Also, the parents needed to be helped in dealing with the limitations and emotional needs of their son or daughter.In 1957 Sister Caterina was missioned to Divine Providence Shelter in New York City where she continued to use her special gifts. Here, she was the supervisor of a group of boys who had been taken from difficult home situations. She remained in New York City five years and was then missioned to Cardinal Hayes Home for Children in Millbrook, N.Y. Here again, she was the supervisor of a group of boys from difficult home situations, and some with minor medical problems. She was at Cardinal Hayes Home for twenty-nine years. During her later years there, she contributed to the ambiance of the Home by decorating the halls and special rooms for the different holidays and seasons of the year. Outside, she cared for the gardens with special care. Caterina said "As children we were always taught to respect nature and all kinds of plants. They give us nourishment and bring beauty into our surroundings."In 2005, she was sent in mission to Queen of Peace Community where she volunteered in the Fruit Hill Day Program for Elderly. She was able to converse in Italian to several participants whose mother tongue was Italian. As always, she was a cheerful, loving presence.Failing health necessitated her being cared for in the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Assisted Living Facility and then to St. Antoine's Residence where she continued to minister to staff and residents by her beautiful smile and gentle, loving ways which were a gift to all she served in her ministries throughout her life.She is survived by her sister , Edvige who is in a nursing home in Italy and a grand niece,Mariuccia Maggiore who also lives in Italy. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday July 19, 2015 , with a Wake Service at 7 p.m. in Holy Family Chapel, 399 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence; Funeral Mass at Holy Family Chapel, Monday July 20, 2015 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Holy Family Cemetery. Funeral arrangements by Russell J. Boyle and Son.