Catherine Helen Chapelle, 77, passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 4 ^th, 2020 at SE Texas ER and Hospital in Humble, TX from a long battle with kidney disease. She was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 11 ^th , 1942 but moved to North Miami, Florida with her family when she was 14. She resided there the remainder of her life until moving to Houston, TX to live with her daughter in March of 2020. She is preceded in death by her parents Anthony and Blanche Gulotta as well as her stepmother Ethel (Candy) Gulotta.  She leaves behind her daughter Melissa Hohenshelt (husband Steven), two grandchildren Alicia and Paige who knew her affectionately as Noni, her sister Toni Toft-Neilson (husband John), her treasured nephews Jared and Jonathan (wife Ana) and their children Roxanna and Vincent.

Catherine graduated from North Miami High School and shortly after moved back to New York to begin working professionally as a dancer, choreographer and fashion model. While modeling for the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency, she appeared in print ads for PepsiCo as well as in ads for other high-profile clientele and appeared on the 1965 television show Hullabaloo. She also had the opportunity to work as an extra on the 007 movie Goldeneye where she appears in the opening scene. After leaving modeling, she began a burgeoning career in retail with Terry Sue Clothing. She was married to Atty. Richard N. Friedman in 1970 and left behind her career to focus on raising a family and pursuing charity work.  It was then she found her true passions in life were not only being a mother but also working with animals and children with special needs.  Some of her most cherished memories were from the three decades she selflessly gave her time to Children's Resources and Animal Welfare Society of South Florida in Miami where she served on the board and as a past-President to both organizations. She also served on the boards of the Miami Ballet Society and the Pentland Hall Foundation where she was also a past-President. She also loved to travel and had the opportunity to travel all over the world.

Catherine will be cremated and due to travel restrictions, an online memorial service will be scheduled to celebrate her life which will be arranged at a time to be determined. If you wish to make a donation in her memory, you may do so online with the Animal Welfare Society of South Florida at www.awsfl.com.