Catherine "Kay" Elizabeth (Donovan) Torre

Rotterdam – Catherine Elizabeth Torre passed away on June 14th, 2021 after a short illness. She was born in New York City (Richmond Hill) on June 15th, 1932. She attended catholic schools and enjoyed the city throughout childhood with her older brother, Joseph and younger sister, Maureen. On one occasion she and big brother, Joe made their way to Coney Island (unknown to mom and dad) spending the $5 each had received that very day from a family friend. To say the least, they did not ever forget the day, especially when getting home to mother and father after dark. Catherine also enjoyed very much walking and talking with her father almost every morning on the way to church, speaking of it very fondly. The family moved to Albany in the early 1940’s where Catherine attended Vincentian Institute High School. Catherine began college with a teaching degree in mind as her mother was a school teacher. After a year at school she changed directions and went to work for the NY Telephone Company in the early 1950’s. On June 14th, 1952 she married Sebastian (Sam) Torre who preceded her in death in 2017 after their 65 years together. After her four children were grown, Catherine went to work for the NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance. She excelled at this work and quickly advanced to a Field Auditor position. She traveled throughout upstate and western NY for her position and retired in the mid 1990’s. During this time and for years after Catherine enjoyed the sport of golf as an active Whispering Pines member. Above all else, Catherine was a sensitive and understanding mother to her children and a supportive influence to her nieces and nephews. She spoke to her children as equals and always challenged them to do their best but most important to treat others as they would wish to be treated. Catherine is survived by her sister, Maureen Ferradino (her husband, Albert), as well as her sister-in-law, Michelina Torre, all of Rotterdam. She is also survived by her four children, Anthony Torre (his wife, Claudia), Susan (Torre) Caldwell (her husband, Timothy), James Torre (his wife, Sharon) and Cathy (Torre) Wilson (her husband, Joseph). She also leaves behind her 11 grandchildren, Matthew, Michelle, Michael, Katie, Meghan, Erin, Brendan, Samantha, Emily, Torre and Morgan and her five great grandchildren, Landon, Brooke, Ryleigh, Logan and Ella. Catherine was the daughter of the late Joseph and Catherine Donovan of Albany, NY. Calling hours will be at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home in Rotterdam on Monday, June 21 from 5-7pm. A mass of Christian Burial, to which relatives and friends are invited, will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 22nd at 10:30am at St. Madeleine Sophie Church, 3500 Carman Rd. in Guilderland. Interment will follow at St. Cyril and Method Cemetery, Rotterdam. Catherine’s children would like to express their sincere gratitude to the Home Instead Schenectady office staff and especially to Catherine’s caregivers during the last year of her life. Memorial contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to a heart disease or Parkinson’s center or to the St. Madeleine Sophie School.