Megan W. Catanzarita's Obituary
Megan W. Catanzarita, 65, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024 surrounded by her family and an overwhelming amount of love. Born on July 23, 1958 in Binghamton, New York, Meg grew up on Newton Ave at the crossroads of the Southside; developing candy habits courtesy of Brown’s Store, learning and cheerleading in the halls of St. John’s and Seton Catholic, seeking adventure and mischief with her siblings and fourteen cousins, and spending long summer days on her beloved Page Lake.
She attended Saint Bonaventure University where she met her soulmate of 40 years, John Catanzarita. Their love story took them from New York City to Syracuse where they raised their three marvelous daughters, Sara, Sheila and Mary. Meg was a lifelong learner and, at age 40, pursued her Masters of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Syracuse University. Upon graduating, she opened “Connections” which she ran for over 20 years before retiring in June 2021, leaving behind a legacy of goodness and families changed for the better. She and Johnny began their retirement chapter together, kicking off two plus years of incredible joy, wanderlust, gathering with friends in different destinations, and spending as much time as possible doing the two things they cherished most: being with one another, and being with their beloved family, wherever that may be.
Meg once wrote an Op-Ed for The Post Standard where she shared her 100% belief in kindness, stating ‘I believe we should each be faced with a kindness rating of 1 to 10 on our tombstones. Perhaps we would remember to try harder.' She had a curiosity for people and life, a devotion to bright colors, great books and libraries; she always rooted for the underdog, believed there was more good in the world than bad and that most tough days could be cured around a bonfire with family, at the beach in Naples and Nantucket with a gin (splash of tonic), and if none of that worked, then a pedicure would surely do the trick. She liked to travel with her own microphone in case the opportunity for spontaneous karaoke presented itself and on many occasions, it did. She could be counted on to write the kind of thank you notes where you wanted to then write a thank you note back to her to thank her for her words; to discuss politics with a graceful approach (although you would more than likely be sitting on her side of the aisle by the end of the conversation, #girlpower); and if she was anywhere near Broadway, you could find her at the theatre, sometimes more than once in a given day. She loved being a Mom more than anything until she became the very best “Nonnie” and claimed her heart grew in places she didn’t even know were possible with the “joyful noise” of grandkids. She will be missed in ways that words cannot begin to capture but will be celebrated and cherished for all the rest of our days.
She is pre-deceased by her beloved parents Tom and Jan Westfall and Father-in-law, John Catanzarita Sr.
She is survived in adoration and love by her husband John, daughters Sara C. Parshley of Cohasset, Massachusetts, (Michael), Sheila C. Langan of Syracuse, New York (Patrick), Mary C. Kratsios of Chatham, New Jersey (Peter), nine grandchildren (Eleanor, Wesley, Charlotte, Miles, Jack, Greta, Sadie, Penny and Hattie), sister Beth Martin (Lou), brothers Gerard Westfall (Kate), and Kevin Westfall (Roberta), mother-in-law Ann Catanzarita, sisters-in-law Joanne Catanzarita and Terry Campagna (Ernie), brother-in-law Michael Catanzarita (Aileen) and eleven nieces and nephews who loved her immensely.
A colorful celebration of life will be held on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse, at 10:00 o'clock in the morning. The family asks for those attending her service to join them in dressing in the same way Meg approached her life: brightly.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to her beloved NPR or On Point for College.
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