Caroline was born on July 4, 1927, to Josephine Guiseppina DiLeo and Nicola Costa. She was delivered at home in Auburndade, New York (Queens) by her Grandmother, Carolina (Calogera) Saltofomaggio. Her sister, Rose Marie Costa, born May 10, 1925 - January 28, 2008, her two half brothers, from the same Mother, Nicholas S. Nicastro, born June 03, 1911 - July 12, 1952, and Stephen Augustine Nicastro, born May 04, 1913- July 02, 2015, her Dad Nicola Costa were all home and present for her birth.
Caroline went to the Central Needle Trade High School in New York City, which was located on 23rd St. between 7th and 8th Avenue. She worked for Wilbur’s Custom Dress Making doing the finishing work on custom made clothing. Mrs. Wilbur made the uniforms for Betty Crocker! Sometime later, she worked in a factory making samples for children’s clothing and she also did the hand work on the wedding gown for the Princess of Afghanistan! During Christmas time she worked at= Macy’s wrapping gifts at which she was quite good!
Caroline was very sad after the breakup of her parents whom she adored. They lost their home and had to move to an apartment in Manhattan when she and her sister were in their teens.
Caroline met the love of her life, Palmiro Giovanni Cattoni (Johnny or John) in 1946. They were married July 16, 1950, in St. Monica’s Church in New York City. Shortly after their wedding, John and Caroline moved to Reno, Nevada, leaving her family behind. They welcomed two children, Gregory John, born September 1, 1951, and Lynda Carol, on November 27, 1953.
John worked as a waiter in various restaurants in Reno until 1960 when he was offered a job at Harrah’s Casino in Stateline, Nevada, as Captain in the South Shore Room. The family moved to South Lake Tahoe and lived there until January 1967 when they moved to Gardnerville to get out of the snow. John worked at Harrah’s until 1985. Being the excellent seamstress that she was, Caroline continued sewing for special clients and she also had time to make a lot of her daughter’s dresses and coats and even her high school prom dress!
Caroline decided it was time to start working again in 1985 and found a perfect job in Carson City, Nevada, at the JC Penney store. She was a very hard worker and dedicated to her fellow employees. They all became quite the family. Patrons asked for her specifically to assist them, as they were very impressed by her charm and knowledge in whatever department she worked in. She retired September 28, 2008, and shortly thereafter offered to return to JC Penney’s to be a store greeter until she finally retired in 2010.
To meet Caroline was a joy and she was adored and loved by all. She had a heart of gold and helped anyone in need.
Caroline is survived by her son Gregory Cattoni, daughter Lynda Cattoni Sarman, Son-in-law William Sarman, Sister-in-law Betty Cattoni, many Godchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Family and friends would like to express their sincere appreciation to Carson Valley Senior Living and Gentiva Hospice for their kindness to Caroline in her final months. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday May 10, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Gall Catholic Church, 1343 Centerville Lane, Gardnerville, Nevada. A reception will immediately follow the service in the church Pastoral Center.
All are welcome to attend the burial at Garden Cemetery in Gardnerville following the reception.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Gall Catholic Church in Caroline’s memory.