Obituary of Mabel M. Smith Catanese

Mabel M. Smith Catanese, 96, of Hamilton Square, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2020 at St. Joseph’s Skilled Nursing Center, Lawrenceville, NJ. . Born in Trenton, NJ, Mabel was a lifelong area resident. She was a graduate of Trenton Central High School and was a varsity swimmer. Mabel was the last original living owner of Fred & Pete’s Delicatessen in Mercerville. She was a longtime member of Our Lady of Sorrows Roman Catholic Church where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. Mabel was continually active in Mercer County and Hamilton Twp. politics. She served as an officer in the Hamilton Twp. Democratic Club and was a longtime Democratic County Committee woman. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing Bridge, entertaining and traveling throughout Europe and South America. She also traveled throughout the United States in her RV. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend who will be dearly missed. Predeceased by her parents Samuel J. and Mary Smith, her husband of 60 years Peter J. Catanese and her brothers, Colonel Paul Drake and Edward Drake, she is survived by her children and their partners: Kathleen Catanese and James G. Gavin, Paul Catanese and his wife Mary Carol (MC), Tricia Catanese Adler and her husband Doug, Suzanne Catanese and her husband Philip Hatrak. She is also survived by her granddaughter Tricia Bitetto and her granddaughter Elizabeth Catanese, the mother of her twin great-grandsons, Dylan Joseph Catanese and Escher Paul Catanese, her granddaughter Mary Anne Wassel, Mary Anne’s husband Bryan and a great-granddaughter due to arrive soon. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Due to gathering restrictions and social distancing, funeral services will be held privately and at the convenience of the family. A celebration of life service will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to BIDEN FOR PRESIDENT or the charity of the donor’s choice.