Catherine Basso

Catherine Basso, 77, of Vicksburg, MI, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on July 10, 2021. Catherine was a Battle Creek native who was especially proud of her Italian heritage. She is preceded in death by her parents, Santo and Apollonia (Beulah) Calderone and her siblings Anthony Calderone and Marianne Sztengel. The spirit of her late family was kept alive through the stories she told and the recipes she cooked. Catherine met the love of her life, Thomas Basso, at St. Philip High School of Battle Creek. They celebrated 55 years of marriage on June 4, 2021. Catherine and Thomas created a family that loved without bounds. They have four children together, Thomas Basso (Indre Rackauskas), Teresa Basso Gold (Robert Gold), Angie Hovda (Curtis Proctor), and Gina Basso who spent the final month of Catherine's life caring for her with love in the same way she had for them. The center of her life became her seven grandchildren Jacob, Nick, Ellie, Grace, Isabella, Lucy, and CeCe, and her great-granddaughter Willow. Catherine and Tom created a family that emulated the value of loving everyone for being their true self. Her life was dedicated to family and sharing her love of Italian culture at her family restaurant Palermo Ristorante. The restaurant embodied Catherine's remarkable recipes and sincere persona – further extending her dinner table for 17 unforgettable years. The value of family drove Catherine and created her magical spirit, but Catherine's family extended beyond her relatives, as her home and heart were always filled with neighbors, friends, animal children, and the occasional store clerk who took time to connect with her. Catherine welcomed all to her table no matter the time of day or what she was carrying. Although she is no longer with us physically, her love will be felt by many forever. She loved her flip-flops, a good pair of socks, Christmas decorations all year round, Lisa Scottoline quotes, and Sunday spaghetti dinners. Catherine persevered against many health battles for several years, beyond the prognosis, because of her deep love of life and her family that she wasn't ready to leave. The last of Catherine's days were spent at home with her family listening to music, telling stories, sharing family photos, and most importantly, filling the home with love. Friends will be received 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Paul Redmond 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 16, 2021, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 421 Monroe St., Kalamazoo, MI 49006 on the campus of Western Michigan University. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Bronson Cancer Center Kalamazoo, 805 John St., Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com. Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care Richland Chapel

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