Nora Sharon Cattaneo

Nora Sharon Cattaneo

Nora Cattaneo was born in Center City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 1st, 1944 at Jefferson Hospital to Mae Burman Winokur, Who did great work with the ORT Foundation helping women and children and worked for the school district, Morris Winokur, who worked in the Navy ship yards and later became a taxi cab driver, and an older sister Susan Winokur. Given the Jewish name Nusonia Sara. Nora was always very independent from a young age. Their mother put Susan in dance class and when Nora was 2 years old and went to pick up Sue from dance, the dance teacher quickly noticed little Nora picking up all the steps better than the girls in the class. And that's how it all started.
Nora went on to take dance and was voted best dancer at Camp Big Pocono where she would spend most summers along with the Jersey Shore where her family owned a Jewelry Store. Studding at Feltonville- Finletter and voted Most Talented in the senior superlatives at Olney High. Nora also danced in American Bandstand as a teen! Graduating with a PHD from The Philadelphia Dance Academy. Nora loved the theatre and was in many productions at La Salle College. Bye, Bye, Birdy, Guys and Dolls, and West Side Story to name a few. This is where Nora met her future husband Eugene Joseph Cattaneo ""Gino"". Nora was a dancer in the productions and Gene was studding business and was a stage hand and lighting tech. They fell in love and got married in 1963. Their love was one for the books. Gene used to write Nora love letters, poems, and telegrams to show his unconditional love towards her. They eloped because he wasn't Jewish. Then Gene converted to Judaism to marry Nora properly in front of the whole family.

Having their first child, a son, Adam Harris Cattaneo. Nora went on to travel the world and have an amazing dance career. Choreographing the showgirls in the Dhina Shore Show in Atlantic City, the showgirls in Nasa Bahamas at Resorts International with the Rudas Production. Where she met Cheryl her life long friend who has been there for her threw thick or thin. Nora choreographed the cheerleader half time for the 76er basketball team! Was a dance teacher at Camp USA. And when she moved to Las Vegas was the lead choreographer for the showgirls of Solid Gold at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. Nora was the Dance Professor at UNLV for 10 years. Serving as a mentor and advocate to many amazing women who went on to do amazing things.

Nora's hobbies included gardening gorgeous plants in her green house and yard, collection beautiful beaded antique purses and exquisite stained glass pieces. Nora had great taste and was kind of a beatnik type and very original. She loved collecting her wooden bowls, baskets, and rugs. Nora loved music! Spending summers going on vacations to San Diego with her family.

Nora and Gene built a home together on Rancho Destino and it was her dream home. They moved to Paradise Court so Dad could put money into his Solar Energy business. Then moved to their forever home when they got pregnant with their miracle baby Emi Nadia.

Nora had her daughter at 42, Emi Nadia Cattaneo, named after Nora's favorite Aunt Emma who she called Aunt Emi, and her favorite ballet teacher Nadia Chilkovsky. Nora then retired from teaching and devoted her life to being the best hands on stay at home mom. She loved Emi more than anything. Never missing a beat of Emi's life. Attending every single school event, putting Emi in Hebrew school at Temple Beth Shalom where the family was a memeber of the congregation for many years. And Adat Ari El with Rabbi Gary Goldbart. Nora became an amazing dance mom and stage mom putting Emi in productions at a very young age. At Rainbow School of Dance, Spring Mountain Productions, London Dance Academy, and Nevada Ballet Theatre where Nora was a stage mom for the Nutcracker performed at the Judy Bailey Theatre at UNLV and in Salt Lake City, Utah. Nora was the most supportive mom and always was encouraging and excepting. She was at every single school assembly that Emi was dancing in and everyone remembers it. During performances when the lights were in my eyes I could always hear my moms distinctive yell, it went ""YEEEOOOW!"" In a high pitch, short, and LOUD! My mom also had the loudest clap I've ever heard for such a petite woman. When Emi was the Captain of her dance group at Valley High School, Dance Bravo, Nora choreographed their lyrical piece for Festival at UNLV entitled ""Rose"" to the song Kiss From A Rose by Seal. The piece got high destinction honors!

Nora was a good Jewish woman and would put together the most beautiful Seders for Passover, make the best matzo ball soup, and delicious latkes for Chanukah. And would put out the best spread to break the fast on Yom Kippur. Nora was a great cook and made excellent traditional foods. Always teaching her children and grandchildren the Hebrew Prayers.

Nora also took care of her grandchildren Jacob Joseph Patrick Cattaneo and Cassidy Patrice Cattaneo. Nora and Gene got custody of them and took them in and took care of the kids for a short time when their own parents could not. Nora always threw her daughter Emi the best birthday parties either at Pistle Pete's as a child or at a fun hotel like The Residents Inn. Throwing Emi a big Sweet 16 Party at the Paris Hotel.

Nora became a widow in 2001 and was completely heartbroken. It was completely devastating to the entire family.

In 2006 Nora's third grandchild was born, a boy named Giovani Joseph Cattaneo. Nora threw Emi a beautiful baby shower at P.F. Chang's to celebrate before he was born with lots of friends and family in attendance. And ordered the best cake from her favorite Freeds Bakery. In 2016 Nora's fourth grandchild was born on HER BIRTHDAY! Angelo Victor Caruso! Nora attended the baby shower expecting baby Angelo and enjoyed the candy bar with her grandson Giovani. And had a double birthday party for Angelo's 1st and Mom-Mom's 73rd! It was such a great time. These grandkids called Nora their Mom-Mom and she was the BEST! Always getting them the best Chanukah gifts and so much love they gave her. Always spending every holiday together.

Nora has two Greatgrandchildren named Andrea Nora Raye Cattaneo- Louis, and Culley Jackson.

Nora LOVED her Sunday champagne brunch buffets and went to ALL of them! Always taking her daughter and friends and her grandkids occasionally. Usually staying at the buffet for about 2 hours because Nora didn't ""eat"" she ""dined"". And loved to take her daughter Emi shopping at very unique boutiques. Nora's favorite food was dim sum. You could always find Nora having a drink at her favorite local bar either Scottie's or the Inn Zone with good friends in the evening. Usually reading a good mystery novel in the corner and enjoying a glass of Chablis.

Nora had so many friends and was extremely loved by so many.
I remember my mom cooking up a big pot of food and making a big ham and taking it to a church on 8th street to help feed the homeless one Christmas Day. It was such an amazing experience and feeling to help others. And when all the food ran out my mom walked down to the 7/11 and bought as much food as she could to hand out. I always remember my mom helping ANYONE who needed it. No questions asked. She was a very giving and selfless woman.

Nora Sharon Cattaneo passed away on October 8th at 8:30am at Nathan Adelson Hospice.

We remember dear Nora Cattaneos memory with love and light as she inspired and uplifted so many. Dear Mom, may you be at peace and dance with the angels and daddy in heaven. And always watch over all of us kids to be our guardian angel. We love you more than words can express. I will forever be so unconditionally great full and honored to be your daughter.

Love,

Emi Nadia Cattaneo

Nora's funeral service will be held Thursday, November 1st at 1pm graveside at Davis Funeral Homes & Memorial Park with a reception following at The Las Vegas National Golf Club from 3-5