Catherine P. (Gaipa) Thomas
Born September 7, 1922
Catherine P. (Gaipa) Thomas, age 93, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.
Born in the town of Bagheria in Sicily, Italy on September 7, 1922, Catherine was a daughter of the late Joseph and Anna (D’Amato) Gaipa. In addition to raising her family, she worked in various clerical positions for a number of local companies and was also a self-employed seamstress.
Catherine was a devout Catholic and had a great love for life and the Lord. She was a longtime parishioner of Holy Family Church in Newark where she enjoyed participating in the church’s prayer and bible study groups and various other activities. Catherine adored spending time with her family and looked forward to cooking spaghetti dinners every Sunday. She will be remembered for her great sense of humor and as a loving and devoted mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Thomas; brothers, Frank and Tony Gaipa; and sisters, Christine Passarello, Nina Tavolacci and Mary Crimaldi. Catherine is survived by her son, John Thomas (Anne) of Middletown, DE; brother, Joseph Gaipa; sister, Betty Robinson; grandchildren, Nathan Thomas (Aniek) and Jillian Patterson (Ted); and great grandchildren, Genevieve, John Ross and Theodore August Patterson.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Thursday morning, February 25, 2016, at the Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE, where a visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am. Interment will be held in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma, MI.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Catherine’s memory may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, DE 19713 or to a charity of one’s choosing.
Duane and Denise Lyons
John and Anne,
We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. We know that you were very close and that she will be sorely missed. We know that you have good memories to cherish and that will help to comfort you.
Janet kroll
I just heard at mass this morning of the passing of Kay. I am saddened by this loss of a most beautiful person. She always had a word of encouragement and a prayer for everyone. I had a nice conversation with her in the gathering space before mass not long ago.
I send my love and sympathy to the family at this time.
Melody Duffy
John and Anne and family, heard of your mom’s passing, John, and send you love…what a long life. I will have to look up Coloma, MI…I worked in Michigan for almost 15 years in the 60s and 70s. May the goodness of your mom and all the many memories live forever within you. She is as close as a thought…may she rest in peace.
Anne & Jim Dilks
John & Anne, Our deepest sympathy for loss of your Mother. Kay always was so cheerful and a good companion to your family & Jackie. God Bless. Jim & Anne Dilks