Obituary of Caterina "Cathy" Fabiano Pintus

Caterina Fabiano Pintus, affectionately known to many as Cathy, was born on June 2, 1943, in Gimigliano, Calabria, Italy to Luigi and Maria Fabiano (nee Paonessa) She came to Canada at the age of 15 and remained immensely proud of her Italian heritage throughout her life.

As a young woman, Cathy met Mario Pintus at a dance in Niagara Falls. On the very first day they met, Mario told her that he was going to marry her—and in 1970, he did. Cathy went on to become a devoted mother to three children. She and Mario remained close throughout the later years of her life.

Cathy worked at Windsor Textiles as a power sewer, where she also served as a union steward. It was a role she took great pride in, advocating for her fellow workers and standing up for their rights.

Her whole life changed dramatically in 1991, when she suffered a traumatic brain injury. Despite an uncertain prognosis and a long recovery, Cathy persevered. She was deeply thankful to Jesus for giving her a second chance at life and embraced that second chance with faith, strength and her ever-present smile.

In the years that followed, Cathy was an active member of the Brain Injury Association, where she found friendship and community with others whose lives had also been touched by brain injury.

Cathy’s Catholic faith was at the centre of her life. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Angela Merici Church, attending Mass and singing in the choir every Sunday morning. Her love for Jesus and her gratitude for life were reflected in the way she treated others—with kindness, warmth and a smile.

Cathy had a wonderful way of making people feel welcome. She became a mother figure to many of her children’s friends, so much so that many simply called her “Ma.”

Cathy knew how to enjoy life. She loved to dance, sing karaoke, play pool and try her luck with a scratch ticket. She stayed active and enjoyed working out at Refine Fitness three days a week. Some of her happiest moments were also the simplest ones—having her family around her and sharing dinner together.

Cathy was a loving mother to Agostino, Ricardo and Emmanuela, a beloved grandmother to Constantino, Elliot and Violet, and mother-in-law to Natalia. She treasured the special relationships she shared with her best friend Renata, her dear friend Jose, and Tammy, who continued to hold a special place in her life. Cathy was also a proud and loving Godmother to Magaly and Marjorie.

Those who knew Cathy will remember her faith, her resilience, her kindness and the warmth she showed to everyone around her. Through all the challenges life brought her, she never complained. She remained grateful for the life she had been given, found joy in the people around her and continued to greet the world with her beautiful smile.

That smile—and the kindness behind it—will never be forgotten.

Family and friends will be received at Windsor Chapel Funeral Home - Central Chapel (1700 Tecumseh Rd. E. 519-253-7234) on Friday, October 2, 2026 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm and 7:00pm - 9:00pm, with parish prayers at 7:30pm. Funeral Mass will take place at St. Angela Merici Church (980 Louis Ave.) on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 9:00am. Interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Cathy’s memory may be made to The Hospice of Windsor and Essex County. Online condolences and cherished memories may be shared with Cathy’s family at www.windsorchapel.com