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Obituary for Catherine A Zec
Catherine Zec, 96, died peacefully with family by her side on November 26, 2019 at Brookdale Assisted Living Facility in Hillsborough, NJ, which was her home for the past nine years.
Catherine was born in Bayonne, NJ, to parents Bridget and Patrick Sharkey. Bridget and Patrick emigrated to the United States from Donegal, Ireland. Catherine grew up in Bayonne with her four sisters and brother. During World War II, Catherine worked in the Navy Shipyard in Bayonne. It was during this time that she met her husband, Paul Zec, who was serving in the U.S. Navy. Catherine married Paul in 1943 when he returned from serving in the Pacific. Catherine and Paul moved to Bogota, NJ, where they raised their two sons, Paul and Donald. Catherine was an elementary school teacher at Holy Trinity school in Hackensack, and St. Joseph’s School in Bogota. Catherine also worked as a school secretary in Paterson Catholic High School. Catherine lived in her Bogota home for 61 years before moving to Hillsborough.
Catherine is predeceased by her husband, Paul Zec, her parents, Bridget and Patrick Sharkey, her sisters Anne Waters, Josephine Saunders, Sr. Patrick, O.S.B, Sr. Giles, O.S.B, and her brother Jack Sharkey. Catherine’s children are her son Paul Zec and daughter-in-law Kathleen Zec, and son Donald Zec. Catherine’s grandchildren are Patrick Zec, Mary Catherine O’Malley, Jennifer Reed, and Jessica Lawrence. Catherine leaves behind her beloved great-grandchildren, Hugh (7) and Nora (3) O’Malley, Michael Zec (6), and Emma (4) and Austin (2) Reed. Catherine now joins life-long friends she had since childhood, and is survived by good friends that she met later in life.
Catherine enjoyed a long and healthy life, demonstrating strength, intelligence and feistiness to the very end. These memories will live on in her family’s hearts and stories for all time.
Visitation for friends and relatives will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hillsborough Funeral Home, 796 Hwy 206, Hillsborough, NJ.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Mary, Mother of God Church, 157 South Triangle Road in Hillsborough, NJ. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Westfield, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Infirmary at the Benedictine Sisters of Elizabeth Motherhouse at 851 North Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ, 07208.
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