Catherine Louise (Nardelli) Medaglia
July 1, 1939 – December 1, 2024
Catherine Medaglia, 85, of Cohasset, Massachusetts, passed away on December 1, 2024, after a brave and extended battle with Multiple Myeloma (cancer).
Catherine was born on July 1, 1939, to Savario and Carmella (Todino) Nardelli in Watertown, Massachusetts. After Catherine graduated from Weston High School, she went on to study Fashion Design at Modern School of Fashion Design in Boston.
After graduation, Catherine took a break from the fashion industry to join her husband, Anthony Medaglia, in Europe while he served in the U. S. Navy. They had married in 1959, having met several years earlier on a blind date. Upon their return to Massachusetts, Catherine became the principal women’s wear designer for a local Boston department store, Gayleen’s, and was the couple’s primary income-earner while her husband attended Harvard Law School.
When her husband graduated and began his law practice, Catherine retired from the fashion industry to become a full-time mother and homemaker. During this time, she remained active in a number of civic and charitable organizations, volunteering with the American Red Cross as an organizer and fundraiser, and later with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, where she became a member of the prestigious “Ladies Committee.” Catherine’s volunteer and philanthropic activities extended to her children’s schools, and she became involved with development and event-planning activities at Belmont Hill School, Dana Hall, and the Fessenden School.
When Catherine and Anthony planned for their golden years and built their retirement home at Ocean Reef in Key Largo, Florida, Catherine became involved with community activities there as well, fundraising to build both a new Arts Center, and contributing her fundraising talents toward the completion of the community’s performing arts center.
Catherine was predeceased by her beloved husband, Anthony J. Medaglia, Jr., and her daughter, Elizabeth E. Medaglia. She is survived by sons Christian C. Medaglia, Justin A. Medaglia, his wife Kirstin A. Medaglia, and her son-in-law Mark W. Grindle. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Isabella Medaglia-Grindle, Ophelia Medaglia-Grindle, Mary Grace Medaglia, John Anthony Medaglia, and Rhys Alexander Medaglia.
Services will be held at Our Lady Help of Christians Church, 537 Washington Street, Newton, Massachusetts, on Friday, December 13, at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Catherine’s memory be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Lab of Dr. Paul G. Richardson, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts.