Catherine Baptista Obituary (1938 – 2022) – Beverly, MA – Legacy.com
Catherine A. (Genovese) Baptista, 83, of Beverly, formerly of Gloucester, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at Beverly Hospital. She was the wife of the late Richard A. Baptista, with whom she shared fifty-two years of marriage. “Booba”, as she was affectionately known by her family and closest friends was born on February 14, 1938 in Gloucester’s Sicilian “Fort” neighborhood to Marco and Grace (Sabella) Genovese.
In her teen years Catherine worked as a fish cutter and at the Tic Toc restaurant on Main St. After her marriage to Richard in 1957, she was employed by the W.G. Brown department store and after the birth of her son, was a cashier at the original Cape Ann Market on Washington St., also later at the Railroad Ave. store. Upon the birth of her daughter, she remained at home to raise her children. With both of her children in school, Catherine entered the night school program at Gloucester High School and obtained her GED. Never one to be idle, she then enrolled at the old “Essex Aggie” (now Essex Tech.), earning her hairdressing certificate. She then went on to a twelve-year career as a hairdresser, employed at Anita’s Beauty Shop. During the mid to late 1980’s Catherine and her sister Nancy co-owned and operated the Two Sisters Coffee Shop on Washington St. Years later along with her sisters Nancy and Mary they owned and managed the Godmother’s Italian Restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey. Upon returning home, she worked for her sister Nancy at the Morning Glory Coffee Shop into her mid 70’s. After the death of her husband in 2009, she moved to Beverly to be closer to her grandchildren. Catherine was a kind and generous woman who was loved and respected by all who knew her.
Catherine is survived by her son, Richard A. Baptista Jr., of Gloucester; her daughter Mary A. Cross, of Beverly; her beloved grandchildren, Phillip A. Cross II and Catherine M. Cross, both of Beverly; sisters Nancy Clooney and Antonette Harrison of Gloucester; Mary Axelsson and brother Marco Genovese, both of Cape May, N.J., as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by sisters Ursula Bono, Josephine (Corrao) Piraino and Vita “Cookie” Lane all of Gloucester, brothers Paul “Logie” Genovese, of Gloucester, Albert Genovese, Augustus “Gus” Genovese, Anthony Genovese and Ralph Genovese, all of Cape May, N.J., also a very special cousin, Josephine Buotte of Gloucester. Catherine’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the kindness and assistance shown from the staff at Beverly Hospital and Care Dimensions.
Catherine’s funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Church (Saint Ann Church), 74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine’s name may be made to the Salvation Army,
93-95 North Street, Salem, MA 01970. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, Gloucester. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com
In her teen years Catherine worked as a fish cutter and at the Tic Toc restaurant on Main St. After her marriage to Richard in 1957, she was employed by the W.G. Brown department store and after the birth of her son, was a cashier at the original Cape Ann Market on Washington St., also later at the Railroad Ave. store. Upon the birth of her daughter, she remained at home to raise her children. With both of her children in school, Catherine entered the night school program at Gloucester High School and obtained her GED. Never one to be idle, she then enrolled at the old “Essex Aggie” (now Essex Tech.), earning her hairdressing certificate. She then went on to a twelve-year career as a hairdresser, employed at Anita’s Beauty Shop. During the mid to late 1980’s Catherine and her sister Nancy co-owned and operated the Two Sisters Coffee Shop on Washington St. Years later along with her sisters Nancy and Mary they owned and managed the Godmother’s Italian Restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey. Upon returning home, she worked for her sister Nancy at the Morning Glory Coffee Shop into her mid 70’s. After the death of her husband in 2009, she moved to Beverly to be closer to her grandchildren. Catherine was a kind and generous woman who was loved and respected by all who knew her.
Catherine is survived by her son, Richard A. Baptista Jr., of Gloucester; her daughter Mary A. Cross, of Beverly; her beloved grandchildren, Phillip A. Cross II and Catherine M. Cross, both of Beverly; sisters Nancy Clooney and Antonette Harrison of Gloucester; Mary Axelsson and brother Marco Genovese, both of Cape May, N.J., as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by sisters Ursula Bono, Josephine (Corrao) Piraino and Vita “Cookie” Lane all of Gloucester, brothers Paul “Logie” Genovese, of Gloucester, Albert Genovese, Augustus “Gus” Genovese, Anthony Genovese and Ralph Genovese, all of Cape May, N.J., also a very special cousin, Josephine Buotte of Gloucester. Catherine’s family would like to express their sincere appreciation for the kindness and assistance shown from the staff at Beverly Hospital and Care Dimensions.
Catherine’s funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Church (Saint Ann Church), 74 Pleasant Street
Gloucester on Thursday, January 27, 2022 at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine’s name may be made to the Salvation Army,
93-95 North Street, Salem, MA 01970. Arrangements by the Campbell Funeral Home, Gloucester. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com
Published by Campbell Funeral Home – Gloucester on Jan. 21, 2022.