Catherine Piliero died peacefully in her sleep on December 4, 2018. She has been a resident of Raleigh since 2004.

Catherine was born Catherine DeSantis in Oswego, NY. the daughter of Michelangelo and Guilia DeSantis.

She was the seventh of ten children. In 1943, she married Vincent Piliero and they lived in Sacramento, CA; Queens, NY; and Florida. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Wood of Oyster Bay, NY and Barbara Heydon of Portola Valley, CA; 5 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Vincent, in 1996.

During her years of living in Raleigh, she made many friends in the Meadows of Brier Creek where she lived. She was active in many community arts and crafts events, and was a regular player at the bingo and canasta groups. She had massive family events here for her 95th, 99th and 100th birthdays. She was fortunate to have family living nearby, that included her in many family events and checked on her often. During her last few years she also had excellent care-givers.

She credits her longevity to her faith, eating healthy Italian food in moderation, a little bit of wine, Bailey’s, limoncello, and beer, exercising, and keeping her mind active with cards and skip-bo. A funeral mass will be Friday, December 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at St Francis of Assisi, St. Mary of the Angels Chapel. Interment will be later at Meadowland in Florida, beside her husband Vincent.

The family suggests that donations be made in her name to either Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh (https://transitionslifecare.org/) or Wake County Meals on Wheels (https://www.wakemow.org)