Barbara Ann DeGaetano
Barbara Ann DeGaetano passed away peacefully and surrounded by her family on October 11, 2018, after a brave battle with cancer.
Born in New York City in 1949, she is survived by her husband of 47 years, Deacon Gaspar DeGaetano; her daughter, Pamela (Jesse) Rich, and son, Joseph (Heather) DeGaetano; her granddaughters, Ellen Rich and Lucie DeGaetano; her father, Edward Stein, Sr.; her siblings, Edward (Joan) Stein Jr., Robert (Christine) Stein, Diane (Peter) Carotenuto, and Thomas (Patricia) Stein; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Madeline Stein.
Barbara and Gaspar moved from Smithtown, N.Y. to Hixson, with Pam and Joe almost 39 years ago. She began college when the kids were school-aged, and received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she was honored as "the first adult Brock Scholar" for her stellar academic performance. She taught elementary school for many years at St. Jude School, and later served as the Director of Religious Education for St. Jude Church. In her retirement, she was ever-present in her granddaughters' lives, a gift that they will cherish.
Barbara was an avid traveler, having planned and taken many trips to Europe with Gaspar, beginning with their honeymoon to Italy in 1971. She also was a dedicated volunteer, serving her Church as lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, as well as in the bereavement ministry. She was the secretary of the Historical Commission for the Cause of the Beatification and Canonization of Patrick Ryan, Priest of Chattanooga, which is the first cause for sainthood in the entire Ecclesial Province of Louisville, comprised of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Barbara was a fantastic cook, and her favorite pastime was preparing and serving huge feasts to her family and friends.
She loved her family, and they loved her.
Visitation will be on Monday, Oct. 15, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153 in Hixson. A vigil service will begin at 7 p.m.
The funeral Mass will be on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Jude Catholic Church, 930 Ashland Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, 214 East Eighth Street, Chattanooga, Tn. 37402 for the Cause of Fr. P. Ryan.
Arrangements are under the care of the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson.
Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com.