Catherine Buttigieg of Rye, New York, born April 27, 1935, passed away suddenly, on June 19, 2022, at White Plains Hospital.
Kitty, as she was called, was born on April 27, 1935, in Galway, Ireland, the sixth of John and Margaret Mannion’s eight children.
Raised, to the age of 17, on the farm that is now owned and managed by her nephew, Paul, she followed older brother Tom and sisters Norah and Terry to England. Thereafter, she moved to Canada, worked briefly in Bermuda, and eventually settled in New York City, where she met her future husband, Michel (Michael) Buttigieg. The two were married in May 1965. They eventually settled in Floral Park, New York.
In June 2016, a month after the couple celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary, Mr. Buttigieg passed away. The following year, Mrs. Buttigieg relocated to Rye to be near family.
A strongly independent and very thoughtful woman, Kitty was more than the matriarch, she was the heart and soul of her family. She was devoted to them and loved being a grandmother.
A compassionate and genuine person, she also possessed a determination and fortitude that inspired many others. She made deep and lasting friendships across different generations.
Kitty Buttigieg was active in each of her communities and a faithful believer in the triune God. She was a trusted friend and counselor who even until her last days meaningfully impacted many people’s lives, some of whom her family is only now meeting. Passionately devoted to learning and expanding her mind, she worked diligently to grow deeper in her faith through witness, worship, prayer, and study.
She leaves behind her three children and their spouses: Brian (Jennifer) Buttigieg of Bronxville, N.Y., Kevin (Rosemary) Buttigieg of Rye, and Michelle (George) Chesteen of Starkville, Miss; as well as her adored grandchildren, Timothy Buttigieg, and Kyle, Conor, and Jack Buttigieg. She is also survived by three of her siblings: Bernadette Laffey, William J. Mannion, and Michael Mannion. She was predeceased by her brothers Thomas Moran (England) and John Mannion (Ireland), and her sisters, Norah Bryant (England) and Margaret Teresa Clancey (England).
A Celebration of Life service will be held on June 30 at 11 a.m. at Rye Presbyterian Church. Donations in Kitty Buttigieg’s memory may be made to Rye Presbyterian Church, or to Rye Seniors, c/o Rye Recreation Center.
