Catherine A. Spoto
July 26, 1945 ~ October 21, 2011
Rochester: Suddenly, Friday, October 21, 2011 at age 66. Cathy is predeceased by her mother, Florence; sister, Muffy; son, Michael Sebastian. Survived by her loving father, George Frank; loving husband of 45 years, Sam Spoto; loving daughters, Tina (Frank) Spano, Amy (Jim) Coon; grandchildren, Vinnie, Nina, Cece, Jimi, Jacob and Elise; uncle, Henry Frank; brother-in-law, Herb Winkelmann; special nieces, Lisa Valcore and Michele Beeley; several nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. Cathy was energetic, organized, faith-filled, compassionate and big of heart; devoted to all who knew her.
Friends may call Tuesday (Oct 25th) 2-4 & 7-9 PM at the Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road, Greece Chapel. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10:30 AM at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lifetime Care Hospice in her memory. For more information or to sign Cathy's guestbook please visit MeesonFamily.com.
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Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow,
May looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow.
~Author Unknown
Dear Joe and Tina, Cathy enriched many people’s lives. You and the family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Cathy was a wonderful friend. We were on the founding grief resource team together for the RCSD. We both found great strength and support in working with the bereaved. Cathy, Muffy and your dear Mother now greet you with love.
Watch over us as a shinning STAR in God’s love.
Sr. Francella
Cathy was always such a great person who was commited to helping others grieving. She will be greatly missed.
She always remembered everyone even if she had not seen them in a long time.
She was present with others in that moment, a rare trait.
Cathy was an awesome woman who I admired greatly. Such poise and grace and with a lovely sense of humor. She gave so freely of herself and her time. She taught so many about grief and loss and now we will have to put those lessons to use as we grieve our loss of her. She will be greatly missed.
Cathy was such a strong presence at our church. She was always welcoming and warm. Her beautiful spirit will live on in all the ideas she brought to each of us. We all know another angel in heaven. I guess God really needed her.
Cathy was such an inspiration. I have been so lucky to get to know her through my work at Nazareth College. It was fitting that she won the Outstanding Alumni Award just a few short years ago. I saw her this summer and enjoyed her quick laugh and thoughtful conversation, once again. She will be truly missed.
Cathy~ I shall remember our St. John’s lunch together a few short days ago.. and how inspirational our conversation was that day…God Bless..
my deepest sympathies to your family and friends…
Marty DeConinck Wooledge
Cathy’s loss has left a big hole in our hearts and in the world. My family sends your family and friends our love and sympathy.
Marie Gibson & Peg Meeker
Dear Amy,
What a great and shocking loss for you and your whole family. My heart goes out to all of you. Please know that I am thinking of you during this very sad time.
Dear Sam and family,
I was shocked and saddened to hear of Cathy’s death. I have fond memories of sitting in your living room discussing School Board issues and strategies many years ago. And happy memories of the Christmas parties and all of the beautiful Christmas cookies. She was truly a wonderful person and will be greatly missed by all but especially you, her family. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Marcia (Reichardt) Cupery
Dear Sam and Family: Words aren’t enough to tell you how shocked and saddened we are by this unexpected loss — Cathy was simply one of the very best. We’ll treasure the great dinners we had with the both of you, and hope that you all find the strength to go on.
Dear Sam, Cathy was a sweet, wonderful lady, who profoundly touched the lives of so many. I feel blessed to have known her. My thoughts & prayers are with you, George, Tina, Amy & family.
Love, Sheron Gardner
Dear Sam, Cathy was such a loving, kind, compassionate person who always made everyone feel important. We are blessed to have known her. Love, Cindy and Lou
Dear Sam, Tina and Amy,
My heartfelt sypmathy with the sudden passing of Cathy. She will always be remebered for her kind, generous spirit. In sympathy, Sharon Price
Dear Sam, Tina, Amy and Family: Cathy was a very special woman – one whom I shall never forget and thank God for having her in my life. I appreciat all that I learned from her as well as being a part of the Grief Resource Network she started. Her shoes can never be filled but I promise you we will continue her work with great devotion in her memory.
My sympathy and love.
Go in peace. You have loved and served our Lord. Your life has been devoted to serving his will, and you did it well. May He continue to watch over you and your family as we also wait in hope for the coming of our savior Jesus Christ.
I am blessed to have known Cathy. When I was with her, she gave me personally, such a wonderful feeling of truly understanding how life was meant to be lived. I have learned from her and will never forget her kindness and caring.
I am so sorry about Cathy. I met her through Compassionate Friends when I needed help after losing my son. She was a truly wonderful person and I will never forget how loving and caring she was. Thinking of you all.
I want you to know that Cathy is in my prayers and so are you, Sam, Tina, Amy and your families. I walked with her during the Spiritual Exercises and was impressed with all she was doing for others, including a trip to Africa! This has been born out by what I have read here and in the newspaper. I will continue to pray for her and for you. I’m sure she is looking on you now with love and is praying for you, too.
My heart and spirit is so heavy today. But that’s as it should be:
‘ Life will not go on in the same way without her. If it did, we could only conclude that her life meant nothing, made no contribution. The fact that she left behind a place that cannot be filled is a high tribute to the uniqueness of HER. ‘
I’ll miss Cathy so very much — both personally and professionally. She taught me much and never failed to lift my spirits…
My heart goes out to the family and friends of Cathy. I am truly thankful for all she did in establishing a voice for those left behind with Grief Network through the city school district. She will truly be missed and her inspiration will live on in all who benefit from her dedication to helping the grieving. My prayers are with you all.
Fran Dunbar
Oh, Sam and Tina and Amy and George – my heart is breaking for all of you. I cannot believe that vibrant, full-of-life and full-of-ideas Cathy is no longer with us. My deepest sympathy to all of you, as well as the sons-in-law and the grandchildren.
Linda
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. To lose someone who meant so much is a heartache. She loved and cherished her family and will be in your hearts and minds forever. To have such wonderful memories of Cathy will keep her with you.
Love,
Jean and Ed Cook
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Uncle Sam, Tina, Amy, and Mr Frank. Aunt Cathy will be dearly missed.
She was kind, full of compassion, a great wife,mother,daughter, aunt, humanitarian, teacher, and friend to so many. We feel blessed to have had her in our lives.
Love,
Cindi, Casey, and Maggie
Sam, George, Tina, Amy and All,
My sympathy and prayers are with you in this time of shock and deep grief. Cathy will be missed by so many, including the Engaging Spirituality group at Mercy Prayer Center. Be assured of our prayers for Cathy and for each of you.
Sincerely,
Giovina
Sam, our deepest condolences to you and the family.
Sam, you have our heartfelt condolences. Cathy was a wonderful person who made a positive difference in so many lives, we will never fully comprehend the extent of her work for the city of Rochester and to all her friends. Peace be with you and your family.
Larry
Tina, Frank and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jane
Tina, Frank, and children: Dick and I are saddened to hear of the loss of your Mother. We are unable to be present at the Calling Hours or Funeral Mass but want to extend our sympathy to all of you. I remember your Mom as a vibrant, loving woman, and I know she will be missed by all who knew her. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Judy and Dick Clark
We were saddened to learn of Cathy’s death. She was a joy to know, and we enjoyed her company when she visited us in Ecuador this past January. She was so positive and thoughtful, and loved a good time. Our condolences to Sam, her father, and all of her family and friends.
Noel and Christine Magee
What a huge loss for all of us! Cathy was a bright light in the world. She gave so much to the community through her work and friendship. I will miss her profoundly. And I will never forget the radiance of her smile and her ability to comfort and inspire hope.
Words cannot express the shock and emptiness I feel, Cathy. We have shared our lives in so many ways over the years. We were ‘sisters of the soul’ in grief work. You will be so sadly missed by so many. Your work in bereavement, volunteering, writing will leave many holes in our Community ~
Debbie