The Passing of a Family Member

Sadly, we bring you the news that a family member is no longer with us. Catherine O. Branz LaPorte, passed away on Monday, October 26th. Catherine was the daughter of Henry and Erminia (Erma) Branz, and the granddaughter of Damiano and Oliva Genetti. We have posted Catherine’s obituary on our Tributes Page. You can also find photos of Catherine, contributed by her sister Jean Daly, on our Photograph Page.

Her obituary from Hazleton’s (PA) Standard Speaker is as follows:

Catherine O. LaPorte, 92, of Freeland passed away Monday, October 26th 2015, at Butler Valley Manor, Drums, Pennsylvania.

Born in Freeland, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Erma (Genetti) Branz.

She had previously been employed in sales by Casters Floral Shop, White Haven.

Catherine was a former member of St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, Freeland, and for many years had served as their choir director.

Currently she was a member of the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s Church, Freeland.

In the 1950s and 1960s she was a Girl Scout leader. Forever active, she was the past president of the Hazleton Women’s Club and the Hazleton Women’s Business Club.

Surviving are her husband of 69 years, Joseph LaPorte, at home; a son, Joseph LaPorte and wife, Mary, Macungie; a daughter, Judith Tomari and husband, Joseph, Freeland; a sister, Regina Daly, Waterbury, Conn.; grandchildren, Gioia Tomari Castiglione and husband, Charles, Freeland; Lea Tomari Iorio and husband, Joseph, Bethlehem; Anthony LaPorte and wife, Jamie, Slatedale; Andrew LaPorte, Cincinnati, Ohio; and Michael Reese, Macungie. Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Abrielle Castiglione, Lissandra Castiglione and Domenic Iorio.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10 a.m. in the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s Church, Freeland, followed by burial in Calvary Cemetery, Drums.

Family and friends may call at the church on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m.

McHugh-Wilczek Funeral Home, 249 Centre St., Freeland, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial donations be made to the Immaculate Conception Parish at St. Ann’s Church, 898 Centre St., Freeland, PA 18224.