IN MEMORIAM: Edith M. Catella, 93;
Head Bookkeeper At Oneonta’s Sears
ONEONTA – Edith M. Catella, 93, longtime head bookkeeper at the former Sears & Roebuck in downtown Oneonta, passed away Friday, Oct. 25, 2019. She passed away with family at her side at Albany Medical Center.
Edith was born on Aug. 1, 1926, to Andrew and Goldie Himes, joining a large family. Edith spent her entire life in Oneonta, and recently celebrated the 75th anniversary of her Oneonta High School Class of 1944.
She married her high school sweetheart, Fred, on April 5, 1947, and started her own family with Linda in 1948, followed by Fred in 1951.
Most of Edith’s working years were devoted to Sears. She took great pride in her work there, saying she could make an adding machine sing.
With Edith, family always trumped career. When it became necessary, Edith left her job at Sears to raise her granddaughter, Stacey.
She and her husband enjoyed their time together “on the hill” on Emmons Hill Road. There were many evening campfires in the woods or by the pond with the family telling stories.
She was an avid reader. Her Kindle was loaded with hundreds of books.
Edith is survived by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Judith (Chase), and granddaughters, Stacey (Ives) Camp and Erin (Meehan) Horey; a sister, Dorothy Himes; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years in 2003; and daughter, Linda Meehan in 2001.
In keeping with her wishes, no funeral services have been planned. A private burial will be held at a later date.
