WATERFORD Ruby Lois (Willis) Catallo, 98, died March 3, 2023 at her daughter’s home in Waterford surrounded by her loving family to help her through her final journey. Born January 15, 1925 in Wytheville, VA she was the daughter of the late William Elmer & Minnie Gervice (Stevens) Willis and stepdaughter to George Lewis Crigger.
She was the wife of the late Merico Catallo who passed away on March 2, 1996.
We didn’t get to see her live to 100 but we celebrated the 98 years she was with us. She was a woman who had dedicated her whole life to her family. We can’t remember a time that she was not there for us through all the good times and the bad. We are left with such happy memories. She was married to our Dad for 57 years, 30 of them while Dad was serving in the United States Marine Corps. She waited for Dad to come home from WWII and the Korean War. She enjoyed being a Marine’s wife and all the places that it took her. She was so proud that we had 5 generations in our family and especially when it came to her great great grandson Zayden. She was a true southern lady, always dressed to the nines and never without her earrings, even if she was just out mowing the lawn. She was truly an independent woman who was tough as nails. She could be a bit hard headed even though she didn’t think she was.
She enjoyed playing on the Bocci league in Waterford, playing bridge at Waterford senior center and she especially loved her square-dancing days with Dad. Yes, she even got Dad to dance. But the thing she loved the most was Billie Jo taking her to Country Fest camping for her 90th birthday. Her only regret was she never made it to Nashville.
She is survived by her son Joseph (Carmela) Catallo and her daughter Gina (Randy) Boulerice both of Waterford and was predeceased by her precious daughter Vonnie (Catallo) Beadle. She is also survived by her grandchildren Billie Jo (John) Carl, Michael & Joey Catallo, Misty (Beadle) Chittenden, Shannon (Johnny) McCracken; great grandchildren, Samantha Hawron, John Henry & Anthony Carl, Joseph, Anthony & Bradley Catallo, Cameron & Michaela Chittenden, Seth McCraken; her great great grandson Zayden Jones. She is also survived by her step sister Jean (Crigger) Greiner; her In-laws, Gloria Catallo and Dominick Gabriel her Godson, Dario Catallo and her many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by all her siblings; her sisters Minnie (Mince) Beidlemen, Katie Mae Tell & Della (Toots) Stockson and her brothers, Frank, James & Edward (Tiny) Willis; step brothers, Arlon (Possum) & George (Biddy) Crigger.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St., Waterford and at noon at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Waterford. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Waterford.
Relatives and friends may visit at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, the Halfmoon Waterford Fire Dept., 315 Middletown Road, Waterford, NY 12188 or the Waterford Rescue Squad, 46 4th St., Waterford, NY 12188