Obituary for CATHERINE A. COMENSOLI
On December 9, 2020, shortly after celebrating her 92nd birthday, Catherine Ann Comensoli passed away of natural causes with family at her side.
Catherine was born November 22, 1928 to Italian immigrant parents, James and Anna (Massoglia) Pastore, and was raised in a miner's bungalow in Cambria Location, Negaunee. She grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression in a home that included goats, chickens and numerous gardens filled with fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. She learned to cook from her mother who made fabulous meals, breads and fruit pies. She walked to St. Paul's School where she learned to speak English in kindergarten.
Her life as a teen met a tragic blow in July 1942, when her older brother and only sibling, George drowned while attending an Italian picnic at Al Quall. After graduating high school in 1946, she worked for the H. W. Gossard Company and the CCI Land Office. Her life would change forever when she was introduced to her future husband Joseph "Junior" Comensoli at a Casino Club dance. They married in 1948 and lived in Cambria until the home they built was completed. Proud and wonderful parents, they raised six children. Catherine’s love of travel led to fond memories being created in times spent with her children and good friends in countless camping trips in tents and trailers and travels throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii and Italy. Dancing, gardening, mushroom hunting, and playing cards were activities Catherine enjoyed with Joseph. They were married for 52 happy years prior to Joseph’s death in 2000.
Catherine loved to be surrounded by her family and friends and always had a smile on her face. As an avid Packer and Detroit Tigers fan, she often had a game on in her living room. Competitive throughout her entire life, she greatly enjoyed bingo, yahtzee and gin games; she always played to win and was often successful!
Despite years of living in pain with arthritis and spinal issues, Catherine lived her life focused on remaining strong and positive. Never one to complain about life’s challenges, she went above and beyond to care for her family. She was an amazing role model and her display of strength and independence placed her as the cornerstone of her family. Always kind and generous, she was supportive and willing to share her wisdom with family and friends.
Her greatest wish was that her children would be happy in life. She rests in peace and is survived by her six children: James (Jennifer) Comensoli of Mauldin, SC, Peter (Wanita) Comensoli of Kalamazoo, MI, Ann (John) Roberts of Negaunee, Alan Comensoli of Wolverine Lake, MI, Lisa (Bill) Learning of Apex, NC, and Gina (David) Sorensen of Negaunee; 8 grandchildren: Mark Comensoli, Paul Comensoli, Erik Engstrom, Andrew Engstrom, Kathy Engstrom, Evan Sorensen, Ander Sorensen and Mara Sorensen; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Rita Bazinette of Marquette and Rita Corradina of Ishpeming; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her brother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; and grandson, Stephen Comensoli.
Her lifelong community involvement was dedicated to the Lady Elks, VFW Auxiliary, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Negaunee Historical Society and the Negaunee Senior Center. Her pride and love of her Italian heritage was enhanced by her involvement with both the Paisano and Sons of Italy clubs.
Catherine’s family would like to extend gratitude to the care teams at Negaunee Medical Associates, Dr. Lisa Long, Dr. Joel Dank, UP Home Health and Hospice and Eastwood Nursing Center for many years of compassionate care.
An extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be immensely missed by her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, June 19th at St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. Interment will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am until the start of Mass at Noon at the church on Saturday.
Mrs. Comensoli’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com
Catherine was born November 22, 1928 to Italian immigrant parents, James and Anna (Massoglia) Pastore, and was raised in a miner's bungalow in Cambria Location, Negaunee. She grew up during the hard times of the Great Depression in a home that included goats, chickens and numerous gardens filled with fruits, vegetables and beautiful flowers. She learned to cook from her mother who made fabulous meals, breads and fruit pies. She walked to St. Paul's School where she learned to speak English in kindergarten.
Her life as a teen met a tragic blow in July 1942, when her older brother and only sibling, George drowned while attending an Italian picnic at Al Quall. After graduating high school in 1946, she worked for the H. W. Gossard Company and the CCI Land Office. Her life would change forever when she was introduced to her future husband Joseph "Junior" Comensoli at a Casino Club dance. They married in 1948 and lived in Cambria until the home they built was completed. Proud and wonderful parents, they raised six children. Catherine’s love of travel led to fond memories being created in times spent with her children and good friends in countless camping trips in tents and trailers and travels throughout the continental U.S., Hawaii and Italy. Dancing, gardening, mushroom hunting, and playing cards were activities Catherine enjoyed with Joseph. They were married for 52 happy years prior to Joseph’s death in 2000.
Catherine loved to be surrounded by her family and friends and always had a smile on her face. As an avid Packer and Detroit Tigers fan, she often had a game on in her living room. Competitive throughout her entire life, she greatly enjoyed bingo, yahtzee and gin games; she always played to win and was often successful!
Despite years of living in pain with arthritis and spinal issues, Catherine lived her life focused on remaining strong and positive. Never one to complain about life’s challenges, she went above and beyond to care for her family. She was an amazing role model and her display of strength and independence placed her as the cornerstone of her family. Always kind and generous, she was supportive and willing to share her wisdom with family and friends.
Her greatest wish was that her children would be happy in life. She rests in peace and is survived by her six children: James (Jennifer) Comensoli of Mauldin, SC, Peter (Wanita) Comensoli of Kalamazoo, MI, Ann (John) Roberts of Negaunee, Alan Comensoli of Wolverine Lake, MI, Lisa (Bill) Learning of Apex, NC, and Gina (David) Sorensen of Negaunee; 8 grandchildren: Mark Comensoli, Paul Comensoli, Erik Engstrom, Andrew Engstrom, Kathy Engstrom, Evan Sorensen, Ander Sorensen and Mara Sorensen; 16 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law Rita Bazinette of Marquette and Rita Corradina of Ishpeming; along with many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and her brother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; and grandson, Stephen Comensoli.
Her lifelong community involvement was dedicated to the Lady Elks, VFW Auxiliary, St. Paul's Catholic Church, Negaunee Historical Society and the Negaunee Senior Center. Her pride and love of her Italian heritage was enhanced by her involvement with both the Paisano and Sons of Italy clubs.
Catherine’s family would like to extend gratitude to the care teams at Negaunee Medical Associates, Dr. Lisa Long, Dr. Joel Dank, UP Home Health and Hospice and Eastwood Nursing Center for many years of compassionate care.
An extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she will be immensely missed by her family and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, June 19th at St. Paul Catholic Church, Negaunee, with Rev. Larry Van Damme officiating. Interment will be in the Negaunee Cemetery. The family will greet relatives and friends from 10:00 am until the start of Mass at Noon at the church on Saturday.
Mrs. Comensoli’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com