Kathie Barbella

Kathie Barbella, 59, of Eltingville, a retired medical receptionist whose family was her world, died Sunday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince's Bay.

Born and raised Kathie Agresto in Marine Park, Brooklyn, after graduating from James Madison High School worked at the former Brooklyn Union Gas Co. It was there she met co-worker Joe Barbella, and the couple dated for a time before marrying in 1976.

They settled in Eltingville 25 years ago.

Mrs. Barbella worked as a medical receptionist at Ophthalmology Associates of Staten Island, Sunnyside, for 17 years. She retired in 2007.

She treasured her family and loved spending time with them.

Mrs. Barbella was a member of the U.S. Lighthouse Society and the Humane Society.

She loved lighthouses and she loved animals, said her daughter, Danielle Barbella. She even fed stray cats in the back yard.

Mrs. Barbella also enjoyed reading and crocheting, and she was a true spots fan who rooted for the New York Giants, Mets and Islanders.

She was a parishioner of St. Clare's R.C. Church, Great Kills.

Surviving, along with her daughter, Danielle, are her husband of 38 years, Joe; her son, Joey; her brother, Jimmy Agresto, and her sister, Patti Rotondo.

The funeral will be Friday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a mass at 11 a.m. in St. Clare's Church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Pleasant Plains.

Services: St. Clare's RC Church Friday, November 28, 2014 11:00AM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Tuesday, November 25, 2014 & Wednesday, November 26, 2014 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Resurrection Cemetery (Staten Island)

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: St. Clare's RC Church