Mary Catherine Petrie (Deorio)

Mary Catherine “Cathy”  Petrie of Norwalk, CT passed away peacefully Sunday morning, January 10, 2021, at the age of 91.  Formally married to Vincent Deorio, she is survived by her brother Thomas Petrie of British Colombia, Canada.  In addition, she leaves behind three sons; John, Jeff and his wife Megan, Jay Deorio, and nine grandchildren: Jamie Deorio, Jessica (Deorio) and her husband, Jonathan, and their son Cooper, Matthew, Caroline and Paul Deorio, Mina, Haley, Jack, and Sam Deorio.

She is predeceased by a sister Viola, her two brothers John “Hecky” and Joseph.  Her fourth son, James, predeceased her in August 2020. 

Born in 1929 to Joseph and Gertrude Petrie on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, she moved to Norwalk at the age of sixteen in reply to an advertisement for a mother’s helper.   Fiercely independent at an early age, Catherine supported herself during difficult economic times eventually marrying and settling down to start a family.

Her love of family was one of Catherine’s greatest attributes.  Having lost her mother and sister at an early age, she was the only girl in a family of five.  Her father was a coal miner, as were most men on the island and a semi-professional baseball player known as ‘Smokey Joe’.  Catherine often said he was an excellent father, protective and loving despite the meager means afforded him and the demands on his time.

Catherine was very proud of her family and we are of her!  You will always have our love.  You will be sorely missed.  We will listen for your voice, shed a tear, and remember.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk on Friday, January 15th.   Interment will be held at a later date back in her beloved homeland.   Due to Covid restrictions, those wishing to attend are asked to please contact the family at jmdeorio@aol.com.  

The family would like to thank the very caring and dedicated staff at Waveny Care Center in New Canaan where Cathy had spent the last eleven months.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks all donations be sent to Waveny Care Center, New Canaan, CT.