Louise B (Matarazzo) Castorina

Schenectady - Louise Castorina, 101, of Schenectady passed away with her daughter at her side on June 22, 2017. A lifelong resident of Schenectady and Rotterdam, Louise was born on July 19, 1915 to Rosaria Carusone Matarazzo and Stephen Matarazzo. She was married for almost 64 years to Edward A. Castorina who passed away on February 22, 2006. She was also predeceased by her brother Stephen Matarazzo (late Filomena), her sister Florence Matarazzo, nephews Paul and Alan Matarazzo (Rosemary), her special cousin Amelia Malgieri, and her lifelong friend Helen Petera. Survivors include her daughter Carol Reid (Robert) of Rotterdam, son Edward P. Castorina (Gretchen) of Durham, NC, brother Ralph Matarazzo (late Bonnie) of El Paso, TX; granddaughters Andrea Reid Fitzgerald (Shane) of Brunswick, NY, and Olivia and Fiona Castorina of Durham ; great-grandchildren Colin and Emme Fitzgerald; nephews James , David, and John Matarazzo; nieces Connie Quinn and Anne Stopera. She is also survived by nieces and nephews in the Castorina family and Debbie Khailoo, a treasured family friend to Louise and her family. After graduating from Mont Pleasant High School in 1933, Louise worked at a glove factory on Congress Street and then at GE until 1944. She did volunteer work at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Rotterdam, now known as Our Lady Queen of Peace. Starting in the mid-1950s Louise worked in the shipping and receiving departments at the Wallace Company Department Store and at the Carl Company until 1974. After retirement, she was the daytime caregiver for her granddaughter, Andrea. Ed and Louise loved their Sunday afternoon rides, their trips to the Bronx to visit Ed’s family, and family vacations. Special trips included their 25th Anniversary vacation in Puerto Rico, a European trip to Germany and Italy, and a four week bus trip through Canada and the U.S. Louise’s family is grateful for the medical services and advice given to her by Dr. Brian Navarro, Dr. William Vacca, and Dr. Gerardus Jameson (deceased). Her family will always remember the extraordinary care and kindness given to Louise by the staff of Kingsway Manor during the seven and a half years she lived there. A special thank you goes to Kingsway Arms Nursing Center’s nursing staff and personal care aides where she resided for her final two and a half years. Calling hours will be held Monday from 5-7 pm at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. Funeral services will begin 9:45 am Tuesday at the funeral home followed by a 10:30 am Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady Queen of Peace. Burial will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. Donations in memory of Louise can be made to Our Lady Queen of Peace, 210 Princetown Rd., Schenectady, NY 12306.