Katharina Calabro

Katharina Calabro, née Lehmer, was born in Germany to Georg and Kaethe Lehmer on March 11, 1925. Although she lost her finacé, a German soldier, during World War II, her immediate family survived. Directly after the war, she met her future husband, Bruno Calabro, an American GI who was stationed in Munich. They were married in a Lutheran Church in Bavaria and in 1948, Bruno brought his bride, “Kaethe”, to America and together they lived in New Rochelle on the West Side.

In the early 1950’s, Bruno fought for his country yet again, this time in the Korean War, and when he returned, Bruno and Kaethe had a daughter, Karin Maria. In 1957 they moved into St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on Eastchester Road where Bruno worked as the Church Sexton for 20 years. During this time, Kaethe worked as a Crossing Guard and was much loved by the children whom she helped cross the street. Bruno and Kaethe were both actively involved in the church.

After Bruno’s retirement in 1977, Bruno and Kaethe moved to White Oak Street where Kaethe continued to work as a Police Matron for the New Rochelle Police Dept. Around this time, their daughter “Karina” was living in Germany, as an Opera Singer.

In August of 1983, Bruno passed away, and Kaethe, now retired from the Police Dept., worked part time in a Gourmet German Food Catering business. She became quite well known for cooking! Her delicious traditional German dinners were in demand!

In the meantime, Karina returned to the U.S., and starting in 1993, she became the vocalist for the Sammy Kaye Orchestra. Kaethe would sometimes accompany her daughter on tours and cruises with the Band. They enjoyed traveling together to Florida, California, Utah, Hawaii, and other beautiful locations. Kaethe loved to hear Karina sing, and the guys in the band were enamored of Kaethe’s “Old World” Charm!

Kaethe started to slow down within the last few years. After having been hospitalized on several occasions, she stayed since April 2011 at Sarah Neumann Center in Mamaroneck, and was well cared for by the aids who were appreciative of Kaethe’s soft-spokeness and polite demeanor. Katharina passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning hours of the Fourth of July, the birthday of her adopted homeland.

A Memorial Service will be held for Katharina Calabro at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 95 Eastchester Road, New Rochelle, NY on Tuesday, July 24th at 7:00pm. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to St. Luke’s Church.