Evelyn M. (Almerinda) Vennetillo Cataldi

94 of Cranston passed away to grace and love on March 13, 2015. Born January 30, 1921 in Castelnuovo Parano, Frosinone, Italy, Evelyn was the daughter of Raffaele Vennettillo and Maria Antonia (Rotondo) Vennettillo. She was happily married for 71 years to the late Louis V. Cataldi. Most loving mother to her children: Rose Giarrusso and husband Edward of Prudence Island, Marie Nikitaidis and husband Peter of Westport CT, Evelyn Weller and husband Jeffrey of Exeter, and Lillian Cataldi-Simmers of Cranston; her grandchildren: Maria Baron and husband Brian, Edward Giarrusso, Louis Giarrusso and wife Patricia, Michael Nikitaidis, Peter Nikitaidis, Carla Nikitaidis, the late Krista Weller Burns and husband Brendan, Scott Weller and wife Jessica, Amber Richardson and husband Andrew, Matthew Simmers and Naomi Simmers; her great grandchildren: Merinda, Luke, and Lanzi Baron, Brennon and Blake Giarrusso, Cammie, Cassandra and Carissa Giarrusso, Zachary and Caroline Weller and her great, great granddaughter, Ava Collado-Baron. All in her family were raised by her with love and joy.

A woman beyond her time, Evelyn was passionate about ecology and nature, and advocated for organics and the stewardship of the environment as far back as fifty years ago. She was proud to be a founding member of the Jacques Cousteau Society. A remarkable woman of many talents, she excelled in all matters of home "engineering" and was an avid reader, gardener, artist, and most notably an exceptional cook. To sit at her table was a memorable and joyous experience. Evelyn had the ability to make everyone feel welcome and part of her family. Along with her husband Louis, she was a member of the Alpine Country Club, where together they shared their love of golf by day and then danced the night away! Evelyn was a woman of nature and song. She had a musical heart and a loving wisdom, surpassed only by her humility and her kindness toward all people and creatures of God's earth. She will be deeply missed by all who were touched by her loving spirit.

Her funeral will be held from the NARDOLILLO FUNERAL HOME & Crematory, 1278 Park Avenue, Cranston on Thursday at 8:15 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Atwood Avenue, Johnston at 9:30 a.m. Burial will take place in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. VISITING HOURS: Wednesday 4:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Robert's Church and Charitable Ministries, 1804 Atwood Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919.

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