Catherine V. Reilly

August 1, 1923 - March 16, 2020

Catherine Veronica Reilly, a resident of Eatontown, passed away on March 16, 2020 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, less than five months before her 97th birthday. She died as she lived, with dignity, grace, faith in God, and in the loving care of her family. Catherine was better known as Kitty, Mrs. R., Mrs. Kitty, Herself, and—her favorite names—Gram and Gram Kitty. Kitty was born on August 1, 1923, in Point Pleasant, and was raised in the Oranges, graduating from East Orange High School in 1941. She took a position at Tiffany and Company in the Forest Hill Section of Newark, working there for several years before moving on due to the long commute. In her teenage years, Kitty caught the attention of a neighborhood boy named Vincent Reilly while at a picnic with friends. After an initial date consisting of ping-pong at a friend’s house followed by burgers at the White Castle in Orange, an amazing love story was born. Nothing - not the onset of World War II, the separation and anxiety that followed while Vin served in Europe, or some very trying times at home—could keep them apart. Kitty and Vin married in April of 1946, and their marriage produced seven sons - Vincent Jr., Michael, Kevin, Brian, Kerry, Christopher, and Sean. The family lived in West Orange and Livingston before settling in South Orange in the early 1960s. While those years were happy ones, there were also difficult times mixed in. Vincent Jr. died shortly after birth a year into their marriage; Kevin passed away from an illness in 1970; and Vincent, the love of Kitty’s life, was killed in a car accident in 1973. As a 50 year-old widow with five children still at home, including three teenagers and a seven-year old, she went back to work and ensured that her children all received their college educations. She also set an example along the way with her extraordinary faith and service. At Our Lady of Sorrows in South Orange, she served as President of the Rosary Altar Society, and also volunteered for nearly 20 years with the Candle Lighters, where her work with infant Down syndrome children created friendships with families that spanned the rest of her life. When she made the decision to move to Monmouth County in the mid 1980s, two things brought her great happiness - picking out a new home in Eatontown, and then finding a nearby church - St. Dorothea - that would become her spiritual home for the rest of her years. She became involved in just about everything at St. Dorothea, whether it be serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Treasurer of the Women’s Guild, washing and ironing the altar linens, becoming a Trustee of the parish or attaining status as honorary mom to the priests. In fact, there weren’t many who worshipped there over the past three decades who didn’t know Kitty Reilly! Her generous nature extended to crocheting baby blankets for both babies she knew and needy babies she didn’t know. Kitty truly lived her Catholic faith every day. Kitty worked for many years at Stern’s Department Store, first in West Orange and later in Monmouth County, and remained working there after it became a Macy’s. She continued to enjoy regular Christmas gatherings with her old Stern’s gang, or as she called them, “the gals from Stern’s”. For a time, she was also an active member of a local Red Hat club. Even well into her 90’s, Kitty maintained a social life that rivaled those of people one-quarter her age ! In 1993, Kitty became a grandmother twice—with the birth of Kelly in June and Mary Kate in December. She finally had some little girls to spoil, and she enjoyed every moment of it! But she also got her boy not long after, when her grandson Michael Patrick was born in 1997. Kitty was extraordinarily proud of her three grandchildren. She would eagerly tell friends about their accomplishments, which were often accompanied by pictures. Did we mention that Kitty LOVED to take and show off pictures of her family? While Kitty had tremendous love of her family, her family had just as much love for her. All of her children have amusing stories of how they were asked by all sorts of people, from store cashiers, people at the next table at restaurants, or even a celebrity or two, if we were Kitty Reilly’s son, daughter-in-law, or grandchild. And every time, we had the honor and privilege of responding “Yes!” She treated her family with kindness, sincerity and unconditional support, encouraging each of them in their dreams and nurturing them in challenging times. Her ever-positive attitude, honesty, loving Irish smile and gentle sense of humor will be missed but never forgotten. She was the strength and guide of her adoring family. Although born in the USA, Kitty always carried a wee bit of Ireland with her, having visited that country five times, and having participated in many Irish events over the years. As everyone who knows her can attest, she possessed the gift of easy conversation and never met a stranger. Above all, her legacy will live on through friendliness, doing good deeds for others and by striving to make a difference. Kitty is survived by her five devoted and loving sons, Michael and his partner Roni; Brian and his wife Mary; Kerry; Christopher and his wife Lu-Ann; and Sean; as well as by her treasured grandchildren, Kelly, Mary Kate, and Michael. She is also survived by Chris’s in-laws, Josephine and Linda Telesco; her nieces and nephew; and a host of cherished and caring friends, too numerous to name. Many of Kitty’s dear friends passed away before her, and most likely were anxiously waiting for her to arrive in heaven to get the party started. Because of the current restrictions, services this week will be limited to a graveside ceremony on Thursday, March 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover. A Mass of Remembrance to celebrate her grand life will take place at a later date. Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, is in charge of arrangements. Contributions in Kitty’s memory can be made to Team Shamrock, which honors former South Orange neighbor Donald Robertson, who perished on Sept. 11, 2001. Make checks payable to Tunnel To Towers Foundation, and note Team Shamrock on the memo line. Address is 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY, 10306. You can also visit http://www.tunnel2towers.org and in the comment section, note Kitty Reilly for Team Shamrock. The family also wishes to thank her favorite physician, Dr. Jeff Felzenberg. We are additionally grateful to the B5 Nursing Staff at Monmouth Medical Center, for their outstanding comfort and support over her final days. For online condolences, please visit Catherine's memorial page at www.bongarzonefuneralhome.com Sympathy cards may be mailed to: The Reilly Family, c/o Bongarzone Funeral Home, 2400 Shafto Road, Tinton Falls, NJ 07712