(current Republic of Moldova), age 95
Ecaterina, or Cati, or Catiusha, was born to Natalia and Toma Baldji who doted on their first daughter. A second daughter, Tatiana, or Tania followed after two years. The two girls had a happy childhood and received a traditional education. Cati was particularly fond of her German nanny, who taught her German and French and also sewing, knitting, crocheting, playing the piano, and generally behaving like a lady. Since Comrat had only a boys’ high school, Cati was sent as a boarder to the girls’ high school in Ismail. Soon after graduating from high school the family immigrated to Slatina in Romania.
Several years of poverty and difficult living conditions followed in Slatina and then in Bucharest, where they moved in 1945. However, Cati managed to continue her studies first at the University of Fine Arts where she developed a passion for sculpting, and then at the University of Finance, majoring in accounting. After graduating, she worked as an accountant for the Ministry of Energy. She got married in 1948 to Paul until his death in 2013. The couple immigrated to the US in 1996 to rejoin their family. They learned English, got their driver’s licenses, and became American citizens.
Cati’s hobbies included reading, playing the piano, traveling, sewing, knitting, crocheting, and spending time with family and friends. She was a devoted daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved flowers, nature, birds, and all animals. She loved life.
Cati is survived by two daughters, Rodica Reidel and Diana Zilberman, two sons-in-law, Simon Reidel and Joe Zilberman, three grandsons, Daniel Reidel, Alan Zilberman and Ray Zilberman, and a granddaughter-in-law, Megan Campbell. She has two nephews, Radu Marinescu, married to Simona, and Mihai Marinescu, married to Alina, a grandniece, Ilinca, and a grandnephew, Bogdan.
A visitation for Ecaterina will be held Monday, September 20, 2021 from 10:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Witzke Funeral Homes Inc, 5555 Twin Knolls Rd, Columbia, MD 21045. A funeral service will occur Monday, September 20, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5555 Twin Knolls Rd, Columbia, MD 21045. A committal service will occur Monday, September 20, 2021 from 12:30 PM to 12:45 PM at Columbia Memorial Park, 12005 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.witzkefuneralhomes.com for the Militaru family.
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