Obituary of Catherine Torregrossa

Catherine Torregrossa(Grammy), age 76, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2023 as a resident of Pinellas Park, Florida.

She was born on February 7, 1947 to parents Bernard(Woodsy) and Margaret Woods in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the neighborhood of Prospect Park. In 1964, Catherine graduated By Ridge High School, eventually moving to Long Island in 1968. She loved to spend her summers on Martha Vineyard Island, Massachusetts for almost her entire life, walking the beaches and breathing the ocean air.

In 1976, Catherine became a Medical Secretary at Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, East Patchogue, N.Y. – a career she pursued for more than 30 years.

Catherine & Anthony Torregrossa were married on March 29, 1980 after a 4-month courtship, and enjoyed more than 43 years of a happy life together. She always shared her love of cooking with family and friends, and looked forward to hosting our annual Thanksgiving dinners. Family & friends always enjoyed her homemade sauce & meatballs, English Muffin Pizzas, Seven Layer Rainbow Cookies, and most of all, her secret recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies. Every year Catherine took days to decorate her special Christmas Tree. Catherine also collected ornamental figures of turtles and flamingos; and for 20 years, she cherished any opportunity to babysit her four grandchildren.

In 2011, Catherine & Anthony moved to Seminole, Florida, and enjoyed traveling together to Sarasota, the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum, Fort Myers, Miami, and Biloxi, MS. Her most happy times were her frequent trips to Disneyworld, Orlando.

Catherine joined American Legion Auxiliary Unit 273, Madeira Beach in 2014, and soon was elected as an Officer at Large. She happily spent the next several years dedicating her life to our veterans and their families.

Catherine leaves behind a family that embraces her memory: daughter Carrie-Ann and Son-in-Law Tom Gallo; daughter Jennifer Mullen; grandchildren Cassandra Benfante, Rayna Mullen, Juliana Gallo & Thomas A. Gallo. Also sister Mary & Brother-in-Law Dennis Benfante.

The gleam in her eyes, her welcoming smile and quick wit will sadly be missed by all her family and friends. She truly is now “Our Special Angel” All our Love. Always.

A Celebration of Life will be announced.

The family requests that any Donations be made to Suncoast Hospice

(SuncoastHospiceFoundation.org)