Gloucester - Gloucester - Catherine Ann Nicastro, whose devotion to faith, family and full bellies defined a wonderful life, died after a battle with cancer on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at Oceanside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Rockport. She was 77.

Catherine was born on May 11, 1948, to the late Samuel "Boogie" Frontiero and his wife, Carmella (D'Amico) Frontiero. She was the first of five children and the lone girl. They were "Fort Kids," living in homes on Commercial Street and Beach Court and calling Pavilion Beach their front yard.

Catherine won the prestigious Sawyer Medal for academic excellence in the 8th grade while at Central Grammar School, an award won later by brother Jo-Jo, nephew Nathan Frontiero and granddaughter Charlotte Nicastro.

She worked as an administrative assistant at the Gloucester law firm of George Laventis, where her boyfriend Donny walked into the Main Street office one day and said, "Let's go get the ring." Catherine also worked many years at Gloucester Engineering, using her writing eloquence to pen many notes for top executives who, Catherine always recalled, "Didn't have the best grammar."

She shared her voice through "My View" columns in the Gloucester Daily Times, where her words carried both advocacy for the fishing industry and intimate family memories.

Catherine loved blues music like Stevie Ray Vaughan and the Blues Brothers and could crush Patsy Cline's Crazy in karaoke. As a teenager in the '60s, she and her cousin Josie hosted record hops in Josie's basement on Curcuru Court "down the Fort," where they danced to classics by James Brown, The Temptations, Elvis and many others.

Away from music, she delighted in Sex and the City and Seinfeld, fashion and shopping ("it was like therapy for me") and cooking and baking for family gatherings; her personal favorites included the Letter D combination plate from the Pilot House and a vanilla soft-serve cone from Long Beach Dairy Maid.

And of course, endless bargain-hunting trips to Second Glance on Pond Road in Gloucester, where a $3 winter jacket was never more than a couple aisles away.

After four brothers and three sons, she welcomed daughters into her life; the wives of her sons. Catherine loved intimate chats and holiday meals with Jodi and Kristen and Oscar-night dress reviews with Pamela.

She was endlessly proud of her grandchildren: Charlotte's band nights on the glockenspiel, Jack's essay on the American flag, Dominic's pitching, Matthew's football and baseball, Freja's lipstick practice and Zach's thoughtful conversations.

She never missed her own sons' games, from Dominic Jr.'s college baseball games all over New England to Sam and Joe's softball games into their 50s. She proudly served as "Team Mother" for the Hardos in the Rockport Men's Softball League.

The outpouring of visitors in her final weeks reflected the love she gave so freely to others.

Catherine and Donny shared 46 years of marriage and many rides around Gloucester and the North Shore, often stopping to get a roast beef or Chinese food.

He was the guardian of St. Peter in Gloucester's annual festival. She accompanied him in her own "Fiesta Whites" and dressed Donny to the nines. During the Sunday parade procession, she ensured the statue was turned toward those in need of a prayer. Truly, she was Donny's guardian.

A month before her passing, Catherine recalled one particular ride with Donny before they got married.

"It was just a beautiful summer night," Catherine said. "I was so in love, and he was so happy. The Gloucester summer nights were just so comfortable. And I said that tonight felt like a panacea, because it was a perfect world. Everything about that night was perfect."

Catherine was predeceased by her parents, Samuel and Carmella Frontiero, and her husband, Donny. She is survived by four brothers: Jo-Jo and companion Francisca Miranda, Frank and companion, Karen, Samuel and Peter; three sons, Joe and wife Kristen, Sam and wife Jodi and Dominic Jr. and wife Pamela; grandchildren Zach, Dominic, Matthew, Jack and Charlotte; great-grandchild, Freja; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements will be private. The family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.