Obituary of Catherine Clarke Cardamone

She wanted her obituary to be one sentence long. But her life was so full! Full of children, art, travel, Utica pride, and big love. 

Catherine Clarke Cardamone (Kate) was born to Brian and Mary Clarke on May 2nd 1925. She grew up with 6 beloved siblings on Genesee Street in Utica, New York : Marietta, Agnes, Margaret, Tyler, Brian Boru, and Roderick.

She was a woman who knew her own mind. She wanted to have 10 children and that’s what she got: Richard, Josephine, Katechen, Cecelia (Michael),

Mary Brian, Ann, Margaret, Roderick (Lara), Amy (Rezal), and William (Karen).

So far, she has 22 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Her gracious, welcoming manner extended to everyone and included many stray children who stayed for extended periods.

That grace involved her city, Utica, where she focused her efforts on making it better for everyone. She was active on several boards, especially the Rescue Mission and the Thea Bowman House. She focused a lot of effort on the public library and the museum at the Munson Williams Proctor Institute.

As an independent 10 year old, on a visit to NYC, she spent the entire trip on her own at the Metropolitan Museum. She shared art appreciation with her beloved husband, Richard Cardamone. They met in kindergarten at the Utica Country Day school. They married when he returned from the war and started their art collection on their honeymoon. They loved collecting paintings and being at the St Lawrence River, traveling out of the country, and wrangling their large brood of kids.

Once, when they were in their 80’s a man introduced himself at a restaurant. Somebody mentioned that they had been married for 70 years. He said ‘I know; their love is a legend.’

Even later, almost 90, they would exchange the affirmation, “you are my best friend” every day.

The Cardamone family extends special thanks to our dear family friend and lawyer, Jef Saunders.

Kate’s funeral will be held at Old St John’s Church in downtown Utica on July 29th at 10:30. Burial will follow in St Agnes cemetery.

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Catherine Clarke Cardamone died on Saturday, September 25th, 2021.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 70 years, The Honorable Richard J. Cardamone, her parents Brian W. and Mary Baker Clarke and her 6 siblings, who were very dear to her. She leaves behind 10 children, 22 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.

Kate was a firm believer in equality and a champion of many causes. She embraced people from all walks of life with an open heart, mind and home. Kate and Dick shared a passion for the Utica community, the arts and travel.

Her life will be celebrated at 10:30am Friday, July 29, 2022, at Historic Old Saint John's Church in Utica, New York. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rescue Mission of Utica.