Irene Carmen Catarella's Obituary
Irene was born on Oct. 31, 1925 in New York City.
She grew up in the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York and attended George Washington High School. After graduation, she worked as one of the very first woman radio operators in the United States during World War II.
She married Carmelo Catarella and had two children, a daughter and a son. The family moved to San Diego, California in 1962. She had a long career working for the federal government at various agencies including Selective Service, Housing and Urban Development, and Social Security.
After retirement, she volunteered at the Riford Senior Center and took dance and Qigong classes. She loved going out on the La Jolla breakwater and looking at the ocean.
Irene was a cancer survivor, having overcome stage 4 bladder cancer. She was overjoyed when the doctors finally told her there was “no evidence of disease.”
She played the piano and loved music, singing and dancing. She had a natural feel for the theatrical and often said that if she had had the chance, she would have become a dancer. She was extremely talented when it came to sewing, knitting and needlepoint.
After suffering a severe fall at 93, she was unable to live independently and had to move into an assisted living facility.
Even though Irene lived in San Diego for 61 years, she never lost her New York accent and always considered herself a New Yorker. She was witty, fun-loving, independent, and full of energy and positivity. She remained young at heart far beyond her chronological age.
She will live on forever in our hearts and our memories.
Irene is survived by her daughter, her son, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
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