Catherine Helen Smith

Catherine Helen (Ralli) Smith Catherine Helen Smith, formerly Catherine Helen Ralli, 83 years old, quietly passed away October 20, 2016, at her home in Melbourne, Florida. Catherine was born on December 13, 1932 in Somerville, MA to Cirillo and Mary Ralli. Catherine had two brothers, Gaspero (Gus) Ralli and John Ralli who are deceased, and four sisters, Rita Campana, Angela Keddy, Helen Ralli, and Louise Kent who survive her. Catherine raised a family in Natick, MA with Thomas C. Smith of Hernando, FL. She suffered the loss of the eldest and youngest of her children, Janet (Murphy) Hutchins and Thomas Charles Smith. Catherine's surviving children, Paul Murphy of Natick, MA and Nancy (Smith) Forrest-Jaeger of Satellite Beach, FL are exceedingly proud of the loving legacy left by their mother. Catherine is also survived by four adoring grandchildren, Stephen Kenneth Hutchins, Rachael Elaine (Hutchins) Granata, Julie Catherine Forrest-Lyons, and Danielle Christine Forrest, four loving great grandchildren, Storm D'Angelo, Maximillian D'Angelo, Augustus Granata, and Nanette Granata, and admiring in-laws, Marie (Cosentino) Murphy, Edward Jaeger, Thomas Lyons, and Matthew Williams. She was the life partner of Taylor Johnson of Waltham, MA . Catherine retired from a secretarial position at Raytheon Corporation and was also proud of her work as a real estate broker. Other positions held include Apparel Services, The Villa Restaurant, and Symphony Hall. Catherine loved writing poetry, singing with the Goldenaires in Natick, MA and Hollitones in Melbourne, FL. She enjoyed spreading joy through music in local nursing homes and was frequently asked by family and friends to sing "Mama" in Italian and yodel to "Cowboy's Sweetheart." Catherine was an extremely loving and supportive woman with a quick smile and wit and a great laugh. She enjoyed playing Bingo with her community at Trinity Towers in Melbourne, and enjoyed the company of and laughter with many friends there. She knew most all her neighbors (and their dogs) by name. She was a real animal lover who enjoyed the companionship of several felines during her lifetime. In Facebook, Catherine discovered a medium for reaching out and providing loving moral support to her immediate family and the many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom she loved dearly. They have all felt consoled, appreciated, and entertained at any given time by connecting with her there, and her frequent posts will surely be missed by all. She listed her favorite quotes on FB as, "This too shall pass; I am with you always, even until the end of time; Father, forgive them for they know not what they do; Such is Life; Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country; One day at a time." Catherine H. Smith was one of a kind and a truly memorable person. Funeral Mass will be held at: St. Patrick's Church, 44 E. Central St., Natick, MA at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 29, 2016, followed by burial at Dell Park Cemetery, and lunch at the Amvets Post 79, 1 Superior Dr. Natick. A Celebration of Catherine's life will be held at: Trinity Towers South, 615 E. New Haven Ave, Melbourne, FL at 2:30 PM on Wednesday, October 26, 2016. You are welcome to share your thoughts, a story, or a song. Please make a donation to your local humane society or animal shelter in her honor.