Catherine Inserra

Catherine A. Inserra, 72, of Toms River, formerly of New Dorp Beach, best known for her home cooked meals, died Saturday in Kindred Hospital, Rahway, N.J.

Born Catherine Lorusso in Manhattan, she also lived in Brooklyn before moving to Staten Island in 1999 and settling in New Dorp Beach. She moved to Toms River in 2012.

A graduate of St. Anthony's High School in Manhattan, she worked as a sales associate for over 20 years at the former Abraham & Straus in Brooklyn, retiring in 1997.

She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was a quiet, kind-hearted and laid back person. Her friends called her 'Switzerland' because she was always neutral in situations, said her daughter, Barbara.

Mrs. Inserra loved playing bingo, solving crossword puzzles, and occasional Friday night card games with her friends. She enjoyed going to Atlantic City and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

She was a great cook and known for her homemade Italian food and baked goods. She loved to travel and take cruises with her family and friends to Europe, Alaska and Aruba.

Surviving are her husband of 51 years, Ignatius (Chick); a son, Richard; two daughters, Lisa Inserra and Barbara Pinkava; a brother, Joseph Lorusso, and five grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 9:30 a.m. in St. Thomas R.C. Church, Pleasant Plains. Burial will follow in Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn.

Services: A Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 AM on Wednesday August 14,2013 at St. Thomsa the Apostle R.C. Church. Burial to follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn, NY

Visitation: Friends will be received on Monday August 12 ,2013 from 7-9 PM and on Tuesday August13, 2013 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM

Cemetery: The Greenwood Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Thomas The Apostle RC Church