Maria Bertone

Prior to her entombment, she will be celebrated with a Mass at St. Joseph's RC Church at 242 Wall St., Kingston, NY at 11:30am on Thursday September 19th, 2024.

Maria Catena "Tina" Bertone has passed away on September 10, 2024 at the age of 97 to be with her beloved husband Giovanni "John" Bertone, a proud United States veteran who served and protected Panama for four years during WWII, and who predeceased her in 2005. Tina was born in Castiglione di Sicilia, Provence of Catania, Sicily on Feb. 27, 1927 to Carmela (Stagnitti) and Giuseppe DiBella. She had four siblings—a sister and three brothers who have predeceased her. She and John grew up as next-door neighbors until he moved with his family to the US in 1937, naturalizing through his father who also proudly fought for the US in WWI. John travelled back to Sicily after WWII to find and marry Tina, the love of his life, culminating in an incredible love story. And yet, it was only the beginning of an even more amazing road ahead of them.

Tina was a proud and devout Roman Catholic who spent her formative years learning her catechism, going to school, and learning home and family care, as well as fine embroidery and sewing from the nuns at her parish convent. They were kind and perfectionists, and they sang Tina's praises when her children visited them years later. She enjoyed telling stories from her youth and culture. At the age of seven she designed an elaborate wedding gown out of paper, resulting in a "wedding" procession with the neighborhood children. She also had novels worth of stories about her life during WWII, all of which ultimately demonstrate Tina's fortitude, adaptability, and bravery during trying times. Despite the harrowing events of war, Tina had a bright and rich upbringing, spending time on her family's vineyards, olive farms, citrus farms, and almond and hazelnut farms, all of which she helped manage with her father. Connecting to nature was a very important part of her life. Her strong will and independent mind served her well when she immigrated to the United States with her husband at the age of nineteen (1947). She and John moved into the beautiful, brand-new apartments constructed for young G.I. families. Living in Manhattan, she was a proudly self-taught English speaker and writer, learning by reading the newspaper daily and reading any book she could get her hands on. She also devoted time to her passions by designing and making clothes for fashion houses in Manhattan as a professional seamstress. Her perfect stitching and refined skills were revered by anyone who had an eye for design. In the midst of the vibrant and busy life she and John were building, she never missed a Mass or the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent.

She and John moved to Kingston, NY in 1952 to raise their children outside of the city life. In 1972 they moved into a home she and John lovingly designed and built with her brother, Alfred. This home was a hallmark and gathering center for her and her family. The love and care she put into designing, building, and maintaining it ricocheted throughout generations, as family always traveled far and wide to spend time there. John opened his neighborhood barber shop in 1953 while Tina worked as a homemaker, planting a garden filled with many vegetables, especially her favorite hottest of peppers. She had a green thumb and found endless joy in her garden, often sharing her abundance with family and neighbors. She worked hard to give her family the best and healthiest life possible. This included working to cultivate the successes of her children, a notable point of pride for her, as they reflect the importance with which she treated their education, something she has always been proud of, as it was instilled in her by her parents, successful and educated people in their own right. She continued to design clothes and was a part-time seamstress and designer for Bernie Goldman's in Uptown Kingston. She designed fine clothing for her children and created a life in which they had everything they needed. Family was more important to her than anything. Tina helped raise and take care of the children in her extended family at one time or another, including her grandchildren later in life. She also helped care for her aging parents who had followed her to the US with her siblings. Tina's family recognized and trusted her as a strong guiding force. She always had a fresh meal, treat, or basket of veggies from the garden for anyone who dropped by. Friends and Sisters of St. Ursula dropped by often for some tea and good conversation. The quality of the work she put into being a homemaker gave her unending pride, as people often commented on how warm, inviting, and pristine they always found her home to be. And between all the busyness she found time each day to watch a movie with her daughter after school. She seemed forever on the move, even at home. Often on a whim she would pack her famous potato salad, signature chicken cutlet sandwiches and gather the whole family for a picnic at North Lake, Taconic Lake, Ashokan Reservoir, or the Jersey Shores. She was an amazing cook. She made the best Sunday dinners and holiday feasts. The list would be far too long to mention but Pastina has a fond memory for the grandchildren. Despite all of the work, she somehow remained perfectly coiffed, a hair never out of place. Tina had unyielding energy despite suffering from severe Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). She never complained and could always be found singing an opera, a cultural stamp put on her by her father.

More than anything, Tina cherished being a mother. Having been through war and having had her own losses, she had a profound appreciation for life, family and especially the well-being of children. She often expressed how profoundly blessed she was with her three children: her eldest son, Carmine (Linda) Bertone of NY who has predeceased her; surviving, second eldest son, Dr. Joseph J. (Mel McGee) Bertone of CO; and daughter, Tina Maria (Peter) Siragusa, of NC and CT. The sun rose and set on her grandchildren, Jennifer L. (Harley) Curless, John B. (Keri Hracs) Siragusa, John E. "Jeb" (Kayla) Bertone, and Olivia M. Siragusa along with five great grandchildren, Chase and Presley Curless, Asher Siragusa, and John and Cody Bertone.

Tina was a force to be reckoned with. Her legacy and the life she forged alongside her love, John, lives on in the hearts of her family. Her hard-working hands, her bright infectious smile, her fun personality, and her warm loving hugs will be forever missed and remembered by her children and grandchildren.

Maria Catena Bertone proudly said that death never scared her because of her strong faith in God and life eternal. The two things that brought her the most comfort in her final days were praying her rosary with devotion and visits with her children and grandchildren. It can be believed that she is singing with John their favorite opera in heaven, "Madame Butterfly." She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband at Wiltwyck Cemetery Mausoleum in Kingston, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation to help fight RA in her memory. In honor of Tina's love of nature, please also consider planting memorial trees by clicking here to visit the Joseph V. Leahy Sympathy Store.