Catherine Rankin Pistonetti

Catherine Rankin Pistonetti

Age 57, of Livonia, passed away after a valiant fight against cancer on December 27, 2020. She was born on September 27, 1963 in Detroit, Michigan; daughter of Duncan and Mary (nee MacDonald) Rankin. Cathy graduated from Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit, class of 1981. She spent her childhood in Detroit and made Livonia her home for the better part of the last 25 years. On October 29, 2010, Cathy was united in marriage to Albert Pistonetti with whom she shared her life for nearly three decades.

Over the years, Cathy worked as an office manager for a number of companies. Most recently, she worked in the billing department at Corrigan Moving Systems in Farmington Hills where she was thankful to count many of her colleagues as friends. Cathy regularly commented on the warm and welcoming environment fostered among the employees at Corrigan and was deeply moved by the outpouring of support she received following her cancer diagnosis and throughout her treatment. Their kindness was not overlooked and will not be forgotten.

Cathy enjoyed arts and crafts--especially painting and crocheting. She often turned her talents into handmade gifts; crocheting countless hotpads and blankets for family and friends over the years. Cathy also loved to read and keep up with her beloved Detroit sports teams.

The most important thing to Cathy was her family. She was an extraordinary daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, mother, and grandmother. She made time for everyone and loved her family without end. Over the past few years, Cathy often spent hours building, pretending, and creating alongside her young grandsons. Through words and by example, Cathy taught her children and grandsons to be inquisitive, kind, compassionate, and thankful. Although her time with them was too short, Cathy's impact on their lives can hardly be overstated. Cathy also loved the time she was able to spend with her grandniece Kelsie and grandnephew Christopher, both of whom she adored. There was nothing Cathy would choose ahead of spending time with her family.

While much about Cathy can be said, the depth of her kindness, generosity, understanding, patience, and wisdom are difficult to describe. If you needed to talk, she would listen. If you needed to laugh, she had the right joke to tell. If you needed advice, she would help find the way forward. Those who knew Cathy have been forever changed by her goodness.

Cathy is survived by her husband Albert Pistonetti; her daughter Natalie (Jonathan) Nikkila; her grandsons, Gavin, Wesley, and Miles; her stepson Nicholas Pistonetti; her siblings, Ronald (Debbie) Rankin, Mary (Allan) Ingraham, Richard Rankin, Angus Rankin, Robert (Karen) Rankin, Raymond Rankin, and JoAnne (Ted) Hebert. She was also loved by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her charismatic son Billy C. Cullen II; her parents; and her brothers, Hugh Rankin, Daniel Rankin, and Brian Rankin.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society , 20450 Civic Center Drive, Southfield, MI 48076 or Covenant House Michigan , 2959 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Detroit, MI 48208.