Obituary of Catherine Tooker

Schenectady - Catherine Kay Tooker, 97, passed away peacefully, Sunday April 26, 2015. Catherine was born in New York, New York, the daughter of the late James and Catherine (Cassidy) McDonald. She met her husband George Tooker while working as an elevator operator in a hotel in Manhattan. Catherine and George raised their daughter, Helen, in the city and shortly after George's death in 1974, Catherine moved to the Schenectady area. She worked for Al Lawrence of the Lawrence Group for many years as an underwriter and as a clerk. Catherine retired from the insurance business to care for her great-granddaughters, a job which she cherished. She was a longtime communicant of St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, an avid walker and adored her family. She is survived by her daughter, Helen (Tom) Romano; grandchildren, Tommy (Sandra) Romano and Nicole (Jeff) Rickard; and great-granddaughters, Francesca and Briana Romano. Catherine was predeceased by her brothers, James, Daniel and Jimmy McDonald; and sister, Veronica McDonald. Catherine's family would like to thank the entire staff of Kingsway Manor and Kingsway Arms Nursing Home for how lovingly they cared for Catherine. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, Schenectady. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Gabriel the Archangel Church, 3040 Hamburg St., Schenectady, NY 12303 or the Alzheimer\'s Association of Northeastern NY, 4 Pine West Plaza #405,Albany, NY 12205.