Catherine M. Gaeta

Catherine Gaeta passed away peacefully on February 27, 2026 surrounded by family and friends. She was 100 years old. Catherine was born and spent most of her life in Akron, OH and resided outside of Philadelphia, PA for the last 14 years.

Catherine was the third child of Mary and Frank Gaeta, joining her brother, Louis, and her sister, Carmen, to enjoy a peaceful life with a large extended family in the Akron, Canton and Cleveland areas. She attended North Akron High School and the University of Akron. She had a long career with steadily increasing levels of responsibility at the Prudential Insurance Company and, most extensively, at B.F. Goodrich, including as Executive Secretary to the President of the Tire Division.

Catherine loved to travel and enjoyed several trips to Europe and throughout the United States. Because family was of the highest importance to her, she particularly enjoyed spending time with her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Catherine also had a strong group of devoted friends throughout her life. She was a collector of meaningful mementos from her travels, her friends and her career.

Catherine found fulfillment and joy from her volunteer activities, especially with the Christ Child Society of Akron and the Ronald MacDonald House. A deeply religious person, Catherine was an active member of St. Martha’s and St. Sebastian’s Roman Catholic churches in Akron.

Catherine spent the last years of her life in the Philadelphia area where she moved to be with her sister Carmen in the last years of Carmen’s life. She became a resident of the Artman Lutheran Home where she was called a beloved member of the Artman community. Many members of the Artman staff visited her in the last hours of her life.

Catherine was predeceased by her parents, her brother and sister and by her nephews, Philip and Mark. She is survived by her cousin Thomas Palazzo, her nieces Joan Blaustein and Marianne Kelly, her nephews Paul Symczak, Bruce Symczak, Thomas Symczak and Roger Symczak, 10 great nieces and nephews and four great, great nieces and four great, great nephews.

A funeral mass will be held on May 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM at St. Sebastian’s in Akron, OH and a memorial will also be held at the Artman Lutheran Home in Ambler, PA.

Catherine was deeply loved by all who knew her and her memory will be a joy and comfort to everyone who came in contact with her.

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