Catherine Mandese Lubrano's Obituary
With deep love and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Catherine Mandese Lubrano, who left this world on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. She was a woman of gentle grace, whose kindness and unconditional love touched all who knew her.
Born on June 9, 1939, in New York, Catherine devoted her life to her family. She had a gift for making everyone feel special and welcomed, whether through a comforting word, a handmade treasure or a place at her table.
Artistically talented, Catherine poured her heart into her designs, generously sharing her talents with family and friends. She was especially proud to design and create beautiful centerpieces for the Foundation of Caring, work that reflected her creativity and her deep desire to brighten the lives of others.
Her love of cooking and entertaining brought people together and her gatherings were filled with delicious meals, joyful conversation, and an abundance of love. Friends and family will forever remember her famous pasta with shrimp, prepared with love and always served with laughter and stories around the table.
Her legacy of kindness, creativity and devotion will live on in the hearts of her family. She is survived by her beautiful daughters Angela Pottinger (Denny) and Susan Slay (Rex); her brother Charles Mandese (Gloria) and niece Lyssa Marquez (Carlos) and her great-nieces Odelkys Cobb (Tyler), Jovanna Hadley (Michael) and Gabriella Marquez (Alek Moses). She is preceded in death by her parents Frank Mandese, Antonina Asmundo Mandese and her nephew Charles J. Mandese.
Though she is gone from our sight, she will remain forever in our hearts—our gentle light, our guiding love.
A celebration of Catherine’s life will be held at Boza & Roel Funeral Home, 4730 North Armenia Avenue, Tampa FL 33603. The family will receive visitors on Friday, August 22, 2025, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, at the funeral home. Services will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM followed by graveside services at Sunset Memory Gardens, 11005 U.S. 301, Thonotosassa FL 33592.
Pallbearers include Rex Slay, Denny Pottinger, Carlos Marquez, Michael Vanacore, Byron Telford and Tyler Cobb. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Mandese and Bob Braxton.
The family has request that in lieu of flowers, please send donations to:
FMC Foundation of Caring
https://fmcfoundationofcaring.org/donate/
What’s your fondest memory of Catherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Catherine?
Share a story where Catherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Catherine you’ll never forget.
How did Catherine make you smile?
