04/03/2026
Caterina “Cathy” (Salsiccia) Belanger, of Claremont, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at home on April 1st, 2026 surrounded by her loving family. She was the loving wife of Alphonse Belanger. Born on August 6, 1937, in Algeria and raised through her childhood and teenage years in Palermo, Sicily, she was a true Sicilian at heart, deeply proud of the culture, traditions, and values that shaped her. She was the beloved daughter of Girolamo and Margherita Salsiccia and a devoted sister to her brother, Angelo.
After the war, Cathy immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island, joining her parents on a journey to America. She carried their courage and sacrifice with her always, building a new life while never forgetting where she came from. She held tightly to her roots—her language, her recipes, her customs—and passed them down to the generations that followed. She spoke French, English, and Italian, moving gracefully between cultures and conversations, and using her words to welcome, comfort, and connect. Her journey from her birth in Algeria and early years in Sicily, to New York and Boston, and eventually to New Hampshire, was marked by resilience, determination, and an unwavering devotion to family.
In her early twenties, while working and building her new life in Claremont, New Hampshire, Cathy met the love of her life, Alphonse Belanger, in a local shoe shop. What began as a simple encounter quickly grew into a lifelong partnership. They married soon after and went on to share nearly 68 years of marriage, standing side by side as the rock of their family. Together, they were often found on the dance floor, moving with an effortless grace and joy—ballroom dancing became one of their great shared loves, and when they danced, it was clear to everyone around them how deeply they adored each other.
Together they raised two sons, Dennis Belanger and Anthony Belanger, who were the pride and joy of her life. Cathy was not only a grandmother but a best friend and caretaker to her beloved grandson and granddaughter, Matthew Belanger and Angela Belanger. She was present for every milestone she could be, offering guidance, comfort, and unconditional love. To her grandchildren, she was a confidante, a protector, and a constant source of warmth, laughter, and stories from her past.
The matriarch and true connector of her family, Cathy took care of everyone. She was the one who held the family together, making sure no holiday, celebration, or ordinary day passed without a phone call, a visit, or a seat at her table. Her home was the gathering place, where relatives and friends came to feel welcomed and loved. A wonderful cook and baker, she filled her home with the smell of simmering sauce and her signature Italian cookies. She never let anyone leave hungry or empty handed.
Cathy is survived by her loving husband, Alphonse Belanger; her sons, Dennis Belanger and Anthony Belanger; Dennis’s wife, Sheila Belanger; and Anthony’s partner, Jeannine Foley. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Matthew Belanger and his husband, Jake Belanger, and her beloved granddaughter, Angela Belanger; and by her brother, Angelo Salsi, his wife, Ina Salsi, and their son, Jamie Salsi. She leaves behind extended family and many dear friends who will remember her warmth, wit, and unwavering devotion.
Cathy’s life journey—from her birth in Algeria and childhood and teenage years in Sicily, through Ellis Island, to her long-time home in Claremont—was a testament to courage, love, and the power of family.
Services for Cathy will be held on Monday, April 6th at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, New Hampshire. Viewing will be from 10:00–11:00 am, followed by a brief service from 11:00–11:15 am. The procession will then depart for St. Mary's Cemetery, arriving at approximately 11:30 am. A reception will be held at The Common Man in Claremont from 12:00–4:00 pm for family and friends to gather and remember Cathy.