Ann Pauline (Catlos) Cassese of Brook Park, Ohio passed away February 24, 2023, in Owensboro, Kentucky, after living a long life full of love, laughter, family, and friends. She was born January 3, 1938, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania to Michael Catlos and Mary Bringer Catlos. She grew up on the family farm outside Leechburg, Pennsylvania alongside her three older brothers and four older sisters. Ann graduated from Ford City High School in 1957. She lived on the family farm until she met and married Vincenzo “Jim” Cassese on January 29, 1966 in Bradys Bend, Pennsylvania.
Ann and Jim moved to Brook Park, Ohio where they raised their family of four children. Ann loved to cook and bake for her family and friends and take care of her “jungle” of flowers. Everyone looked forward to her Friday night homemade pizzas, Christmas sauerkraut soup and pierogis, chicken and dumplings, and especially her lady fingers. She was a faithful member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Brook Park where she loved baking the bread for Sunday Communion for many years until moving to Owensboro, Kentucky in 2019. Ann was a lifelong sports fan. She loved her Cleveland Browns and Indians, the Ohio State Buckeyes, Duke basketball, and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ann was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim; her parents, Michael and Mary Catlos; brothers, Milan, Albert, and Edward (Korea 1952); and sisters, Mildred Berdell and Irene Mikeska.
She is survived by her sisters, Lillian Yamber, Helen (Fran) Gondell; sister-in-law, Mary Cassese; children, Kim (Gary) Arnold of Glenwood, Iowa, Patty Didonato (John Roland) of Burnsville, North Carolina, Ann Marie (TJ) Cefus of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Vincent and fiancé, Erika of Somerset, Massachusetts; grandchildren, Jessica Arnold, Michelle Arnold, Audrey Arnold, Paul (Ashley) Didonato, Steven (Shannon) Didonato, Melissa (Matt) Gray, Zachary Cefus, Juliana (Tyler) Gottwald, James Cassese, Jordan Cassese, Savannah Peirce, and Abigail Prince; great-grandchildren, Paulie Jr., Bryce, Amarah, Emily, and Steven Didonato and Mason and Mia Gray. Her eighth great-grandchild, Ivy Gottwald, is expected in July 2023.
A memorial service and burial will be held in Leechburg, Pennsylvania this summer.
Haley McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory is both honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Mrs. Cassese. Leave your messages of condolence for the family of Ann Pauline Catlos Cassese and sign her virtual guestbook at www.haleymcginnis.com.