Nancy McGroarty Cataldo

Nancy McGroarty Cataldo, a graduate of the Patchogue-Medford High School class of 1977, has dedicated her life to giving service to others. Today she serves as the Service to the Armed Forces and International Services Regional Director for the Palmetto, South Carolina region of the American National Red Cross. The program supports military personnel, veterans and families by offering financial assistance, information and referral services, deployment services, and reconnection workshops. 

Nancy first joined the Red Cross as a volunteer in the early 1990’s, and throughout her time with the great humanitarian organization she has responded and assisted with many human-made and natural disasters both near her community and in the world. Nancy’s responsibilities when responding to such events include helping families with clothing, financial support, as well as temporary lodging and referrals to local agencies, and maintaining shelters during disasters. She also assists with training programs such as First Aid/CPR/AED, water safety, babysitters’ training, disaster preparation, and many more. Nancy is also involved in raising funds in support of emergency services for fire departments in and around her home region of South Carolina. She is also a member of the Rotary Club, involved with community outreach and volunteer projects such as the Emanuel UMC Soup Kitchen, the Vidalia Onion Sale for Scholarships, Little Library Project, and the Pillowcase Project.

Hard work, dedication, and service started early for Nancy. She began volunteering at the age of 12, joining service projects organized in the Patchogue-Medford schools. In 1976, Nancy was featured in the Long Island Advance for volunteering at the Patchogue Nursing Center, helping residents with everything from shopping trips to movie theater visits. She received an award from the State of New York Department of Mental Hygiene for outstanding volunteer service at Willard Psychiatric Center. She also excelled in academics and athletics, as an Honor Society inductee and a member of several P-M sports teams, including the 1977 PMHS Varsity Women’s Bowling team which won that year’s New York State Bowling Intersectional Championships. 

As if induction into the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame is not honor enough, Nancy is also part of the first married couple to be inducted simultaneously. Her husband Paul Cataldo is also being honored this evening. Paul and Nancy enjoy spending time with their three daughters, granddaughter, grandson, and three dogs.