Obituary of Catherine Bonato

Catherine Bonato (DeFeo) went home to be with the Lord on January 13, 2025. Catherine was born in 1932 in Philadelphia, PA where she lived until marrying her husband, John Bonato Jr. The two of them settled in Vineland and they remained there for the next 72 years.

Catherine was quick to pick up her needle and thread to hem pants, fix a zipper or replace missing buttons for anyone in need. Her exceptional sewing skills came from working at Model Blouse Company in Vineland for 30 years.

When Catherine was not sewing, she could be found in her kitchen cooking family favorites like tortellini soup, ravioli, and crabs and spaghetti. Catherine's door was always open and for many years, family and friends alike stopped by to eat whatever she was preparing and enjoy a cup of coffee. Her spirit of hospitality continued even into her late age as she was always offering goodies and conversing with residents and staff of Genesis Millville Center. The most valuable of these friendships was with her roommate Shirley.

All her life, Catherine was a member of Saint Isidore Church in Vineland where she faithfully attended weekly mass and handmade rosary beads. She was the beloved matriarch of the family and will be dearly missed.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, John Bonato Jr. (1996); parents, Anthony and Thelma DeFeo and sister, Eleanor Black.

She is survived by her son, John Bonato III and his two daughters with Judy Bonato, Valerie Gouse (Bill) and Kimberly Pratt (Eric). She was known as mommom to her three great granddaughters, Natalie, Emily and Amanda.

Family and friends will be received on Thursday, January 16, 2025 from 10am to 11am at DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland, followed by funeral services at 11am. As per Catherine's request, she will be laid to rest with her husband at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now