Katherine T. "Kay" Attalla

Katherine T. “Kay” Attalla (née Rinaldi) passed away peacefully on October 24, 2021, in Norwich, NY at the age of 96.

Katherine is survived by her grandchildren, Joseph (Roberta) Attalla, of West Chester, PA; Heather (Joe) Esposito, of Norwich, NY; great-grandson, Joseph A. Esposito, of Norwich; daughter-in-law, Julie (Stephen) Dietze; and daughter-in-spirit, Carmela Ariemma. Kay was also survived by many loved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her spouse, Joseph F. Attalla; son, Joseph F. Attalla, Jr.; daughter, Katherine F. Attalla; brother, Sam Rinaldi, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Jane Rinaldi.

Katherine was born on June 28, 1925 in Newark, NJ to Samuel and Clara Rinaldi. She married her husband shortly after his return from World War II, in 1947. They were married for 65 years. In addition to working for a brief time as a clerk and typist for the US Government, Kay also spent many years working in her family’s grocery store.

Upon her retirement, Kay moved into her dream home in Maplewood, NJ. It was there where she lived for many years, hosting many numerous Sunday and holiday meals that brought the family together in love and joyful memories. Later on, Kay lived for almost 15 years in East Hanover, NJ before moving to Chenango Valley Home in Norwich, NY, in 2016, where she was able to see her great-grandson on a regular basis, and he was able to see his “Big Nanny”.

Kay’s joys included music, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.

The family expresses its sincere appreciation to the staff of the Chenango Valley Home for the excellent care and compassion they offered to Kay during the years of her residence there.

A private Mass of Christian Burial for Kay will be celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, where Rev. Ralph A. Bove, pastor, will officiate. Burial will take place at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, in East Hanover, NJ.

Contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to either St. Jude’s Hospital or to a charity of one’s choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilson Funeral Home.