Iole DeMatteis Catignani

Powell, OH - Iole DeMatteis Catignani, 92, passed away peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning, February 1, 2024 surrounded by her family.

Iole was born in Villa Sant’ Angelo, L’Aquila, Italy, the daughter of the late Giancandido Marino DeMatteis and Alessandrina Vespasiani. Iole married Erminio Catignani in Italy in 1956 and soon thereafter came to the United States.   A proud homemaker to her three daughters and a loving grandmother to her nine grandchildren, Iole was well-known for her beautifully-tended flower and vegetable gardens. Iole loved intricate Italian old-world needlework and embroidery and leaves behind a legacy of countless handmade linens for her children and grandchildren.  She was renowned for her Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta and her weekly freshly baked bread, which were enjoyed by family, neighbors and friends. Iole was blessed with a beautiful voice and is remembered for singing while she went about her daily life.

In addition to her parents, Iole is preceded in death by her husband, Erminio Catignani, and two brothers, Giuseppe and Goffredo DeMatteis, her nephew Humphrey Olivieri, and her dear friends Emma Rubeis and Veronica Somplack.

Iole leaves behind three daughters, Giulia Kennedy, Maria (Hassan) Zahran, and Diana Chappell; nine grandchildren, Alessandra, Valentina, Cassandra, Marina, Sylvan, Andrew, Laura, Ava and Lauren; two sisters, Elena (Onofrio) Olivieri and Leda Caratozzollo, a brother, Edmondo (Anna Laura) DeMatteis, a brother-in-law, Onofrio Olivieri, two sisters-in-law, Elsa Pizzi DeMatteis and Silvana DeMatteis, and numerous nieces and nephews in the United States and in Italy.

Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, February 9, 2024 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm and Saturday, February 10, 2024 10:00 am until 12 noon at the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Road N.E., Warren, OH.

A private interment attended by immediate family at All Souls Cemetery, Bazetta, will follow.   

In place of sending flowers, it was Iole’s special request that family and friends consider a memorial donation to St. Jude’s Children Hospital or to the American Cancer Society.  

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