Catherine Mary Gross

Catherine Mary 'Kit’ (Gambino) Gross, 97, passed away on Tuesday, July 19 at Our Lady of Wisdom Healthcare Center of Alzheimer’s disease, where she resided for the past 7 years. Beloved wife of the late Lawrence Gross for 34 years. Catherine was married on January 28, 1945. Born in New Orleans, LA, Catherine was the daughter of the late Paul Gambino and Rose Ingrassia. Kit was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and Anthony Gambino; by her sister, Josephine Wertz, and by three children she miscarried (her angels in waiting with whom she is now reunited). She is survived by sons; Lawrence Gross (Ellen); Nile Gross (Frances); Marc Gross (Barbara); Greg Gross (Carolina); Keith Gross; and daughter Maria Benoit (Steve); as well as 21 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Sister Jerome Blank (Marianites of Holy Cross), thanks for caring for Kitty Cat.

Kit, or “Bootsie” as she was known to her family and young friends, attended St. Francis de Sales Grammar School, graduated 4th in her class and was elected student body president at Joseph Kohn High School in 1942. She went on to study at Soulé Business School where she graduated in 1943. Catherine, who was a homemaker for most of her later life, worked at many jobs over the years. She worked at Scott’s Hotdog Stand on Dryades Street, as a secretary for Leonard King Importers, for Pan American Oil Company, and at Oriental Triangle Chinese Restaurant.

The family moved to Little Farms, now River Ridge, in 1946. She was active in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, where all their children attended school. She served as OLPH room mother, member of the Altar Society, Eucharistic Minister, Adoration Chapel, Catholic Charismatic, Golden Agers, Marian Movement of Priests and St Matthew the Apostle Cares. Kit enjoyed playing softball, roller skating, flying kites, making cakes pralines & fudge, volunteered at the local public library, and had a passion for writing poetry, and was the queen of oyster opening.

In her neighborhood, Kit was known as “the neighborhood mom” or “Aunt Kit”. She could often be seen riding her bicycle to even deliver Holy Communion to neighbors, hitting garage sales or bringing in mail and newspapers for neighbors on her street. She always had time to stop in for a cup of coffee.

She touched the lives of others in immeasurable ways and everyone who knew her spoke of her generosity and wit.  Helping others was always her first priority and volunteering was as deeply rewarding for her as it was for those she cared for. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.

Services will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Kenner, LA, Friday July 29, 2022 with Visitation at 9:00 am followed by a Catholic Mass at 11:00 am and internment at the Garden of Memories thereafter. In lieu of flowers, mass donations can be made in Catherine’s name at OLPH.

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