Obituary of Catherine Santomarco

Catherine Loraine Santomarco age 69 from Bainbridge NY, passed away in her home on December 20, 2020, She is now with her Lord and her loved ones which have predeceased her. Catherine was ill for many years with diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease. She was born on June 13, 1951, to her parents Edward Elijah and Mary Alice Grace Hillier in Halifax Nova Scotia. On August 8, 1970, she married her husband Joseph Santomarco. Who has predeceased her. She is also predeceased by both her parents, her brother, James Mitchel Hillier, A brother-in-law Francis Gaudreau II, nephew Francis Gaudreau III, and great-nephew Alix Gaudreau She is survived by her son Anthony Santomarco, her Daughter-in-law, Wanda Banks, Three stepchildren, Tara Banks, Chrisifer Collazo, and Jammie Banks, and one great-granddaughter Elizabeth Sambrato. Which live in Cape Coral Fl She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Gaudreau, and her fiancé, Carl Swick, from Sidney, NY, her sister Gale and her husband Joseph Herrick, from Bainbridge NY, and her sister-in-law April Hillier, from Maryland, NY, plus many cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and all her friends that she adopted into her heart and made her extended family. She, become a US citizen on March 7, 1997. Catherine graduated from Sidney High School in 1969. Then as an adult some years later she went back to school and attended SUNY Oneonta for one year. Her dream was to be a kindergarten teacher. Although she never got to fill that dream due to illness, she did teach Sunday school and she became a missionary instructor at her church for a few years until her health deteriorated where she had to let them go as well. Catherine loved to write; she would take her thoughts and put them on paper in the form of poetry. She had written many poems throughout her years. Some she wrote for different people in her life and others were in celebration of her life in God. Last year one of her poems was put to music by a fellow church member, which has been shared in the church and then over the internet, fulfilling one of her dreams to share her poetry with others. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. She was like a big kid when it came to the holidays and every other time of the year as far as that goes. She collected carousels, cookie jars, and Elmos. Over the years everyone would always kid her about all the Elmos. Anthony had a special nickname for his mother which many of her friends would use as well. He would call her Chumby. So in His own words "Remember to Love a Chumby every day." So remember to love your mom and let her know. She will be missed and forever in our hearts. Our loss is heaven's gain. There will be a celebration of her life at a later date to be posted. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the heart and diabetes association. Please feel free to share your favorite memories with Catherine on here so all of those who loved her can enjoy them with you.