Caterina (Conti) Minardi

Caterina (Conti) Minardi, 87 of Worcester passed away peacefully Saturday, July 7, 2018 with the family she loved gathered around her.

Caterina was born and raised in St Pietro, province of Arcevia, Italy, the daughter of Secondo and Lucia (Giuliani) Conti.  In the late 1940’s as a young women, Caterina married Alfonso Minardi  and began to raise their family in Italy.  Wanting a better life for their family, Alfonso and Caterina immigrated to the United States, specifically Worcester in 1969.  Other than the occasional vacation to Italy to see family, they have lived in Worcester ever since.   Caterina worked alongside her husband  Alfonso for the Felters Company in Millbury, for 21 years before retiring in 1993.

Her husband of 40 years Alfonso  passed away in 1989.  She is survived by her devoted children, Fiorella “Maria” Crossen with whom she lived, Giancarlo Minardi and his wife Bonnie of Sutton; a brother Quinto Conti in Rome; seven grandchildren she cherished, Andreana, Sarah, Michael, Danielle, Fabio, and Amanda Bianca;  10 great grandchildren; Many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends both here and in Italy.  Besides, her husband Alfonso, a brother Enzo Conti also pre deceased her. 

Caterina was a member of Our Lady of Mt Carmel Parish.  “Famiglia e patrimonio è tutto”, family and heritage was everything to Caterina.  She routinely could be seen passing her Italian heritage, cooking skills and stories of her childhood in Italy, to her grandchildren gathered around her or anybody that mentioned Italy.   Caterina, as all Italian mothers loved to cook, creating by hand her own pasta all the time, especially Ravioli’s and her Italian cookies.  She additionally made sure her family enjoyed and was nourished by her food.  Anyone who entered her home, never left hungry or without having something in hand to take with them.  Special occasions, the holidays notably Christmas Eve and family dinners were the times that made her smile.    Caterina also enjoyed going to the gym to keep fit. 

Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours, Monday, July 9^th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St.  Her funeral will be held Tuesday, July 10^th from the funeral home with a procession to Our Lady of Loreto Church, 33 Massasoit Rd where her celebration in life will be held at 10:00 am.  Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery.  Flowers may be sent or memorial remembrances made to Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church,  33 Massasoit Rd. 01604