Leonora “Lee” Kathryn (Vannelli) Cataldo, of Des Moines, IA, passed away on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines, peacefully surrounded by her loving family.
Lee was born in New York City, New York on April 10, 1930. As a child she moved with her family to Boston, Massachusetts. There she met and married Joseph “Sonny” Cataldo. They were married for 39 years, and raised 4 children.
Lee, married to an Army Physician, lived on numerous military bases thru-out the US and Germany. After the military, Lee and her husband settled in Alexandria, Virginia, where she worked as the office manager in her husband’s medical practice. Eventually she moved to California, before joining her son Joseph and family in Iowa.
Lee was a wonderful person and always saw the good in people. She never met a stranger – never had an unkind word to say about anyone. Lee made many friends in the military, as well as some very close friendships in Virginia. Lee was a great role model to her children and grandchildren. Her love was unconditional. We were very fortunate to have her in our lives, and we take solace in knowing that she’s in a better place now.
Lee is survived by her sister Vivian Cash of Massachusetts; daughter Karen Scheneman of California; son Michael Cataldo and his wife Diane of Connecticut and son Joseph Cataldo and his wife Carmena of Iowa. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Mickey, Stephen, Christopher, Lee, Karen Joy, Greg, Rachel and Elizabeth; five great-grandchildren; along with many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Lee was preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Dorothea (Foss) Vannelli; sister Debby Racki; former husband Dr. Joseph Cataldo; daughter Corinne Rose; and grandchild Michael Cataldo II.
We’d like to thank the wonderful staff at Scottish Rite Park Health Care Center for the care and compassion they have provided these past two years.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to visit with the family at the Dello Russo Funeral Home, 306 Main Street, Medford on Saturday, December 5th from 11 to 12 AM followed by a memorial service celebrated in the funeral home, at 12 Noon. Contributions may be sent in Lee’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105194A.