Catherine Riffel

    Catherine Riffel, age 92 of Millersburg, Ohio, passed away on August 8, 2023, after a period of declining health.

    Catherine was born February 22, 1931 in Los Angeles, CA to the late Anthony and Anna Naccarato. She was affectionately known by many names - Cathy, Kate, Grandma, Grammy Nona, Auntie, Auntie Ardie, Iya, Aunt Cathy, Mrs. Sniff - just to name a few, and was the pillar of our family and the glue that held us together. She met her husband, Dick Riffel on a blind date in 1948 and they were married the following year, July 2nd, 1949. During their 48 years of marriage, they lived in Whittier, California, where they remained until dad's retirement in 1992, when they moved to Wooster, OH and built a home on the farm where dad was born and raised. Our family finds comfort in knowing they are together again.

     Her career was being a full-time wife and mother. There wasn’t a year that went by without mom and dad taking us on family vacations – usually to Yosemite or Sequoia, and several long-distance journeys to Ohio to visit with dad’s side of the family. Some of our favorite memories of her were hosting Sunday Italian dinners every week with our close family of 30+ people. As the aroma of homemade sauce and meatballs filled the air, the joy, laughter and fellowship it provided has given us a lifetime of memories. She enjoyed baking Italian cookies at Christmas time, sharing with family, friends and neighbors. Trips to Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm and Huntington Beach were a regular occurrence. Her trip to Italy with a group from Wooster in 2001 was a highlight.

     She is survived by her son, Tom (Joyce) Riffel; grandson, Brian (Monica) Riffel; and great granddaughters: Shayla and Hailey all of Reno, Nevada; her daughter, Patty (Rick) Branch of Millersburg; her sister, Mary Santoni of Irvine, CA; a brother, Joe (Pam) Naccarato of Springdale, AR; many nieces and nephews; and her little dog, Bella. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick in 1998; her granddaughter, Jamie in 2015; her special significant other, Dean Lund in 2020; and her sisters: Peggy Zabroski and Edith Reddell.

     The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to Dr. Latouf, Premier Pharmacy, the staff at Danbury Senior Living in Millersburg, and to Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare for their unwavering commitment to her loving care, dedication and support.

     Services will be held at a later date.

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to Ohio’s LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH 44691 or ohioshospicelifecare.org. Those wishing to share a memory or make online condolences may do so by visiting www.alexanderfhinc.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.