Obituary of Catherine A. Auriemma

Catherine Ann Auriemma, a lifelong resident of Morris Township, died peacefully on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Morristown Medical Center. She was 66.

Cathy was born in Morristown on March 26, 1954 to the late Joseph J. Auriemma and Marie V. Auriemma (née Eichlin). She was raised in Morris Township with her brother Joseph and sister Jo-Ann and was a graduate of Morristown High School.

Cathy loved children and ever since she was a girl, she felt that her calling was to become a teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the College of St. Elizabeth, as well as a degree in special education. Cathy then went on to Seton Hall University where she would earn her master’s degree in education. During High school and College she worked for the Law Offices of Porzio, Bromberg and Newman, but always felt her true love was being a teacher. She taught at St. Patrick School in Chatham for over forty years, primarily as a fourth-grade teacher, until her retirement in March of 2019. 

“Miss A”, as she was affectionately known by her students and colleagues, was the official historian and photographer of St. Patrick School. She was instrumental in keeping several St. Patrick School traditions alive throughout her four-decade tenure as an educator at the school. If you needed to know anything, Cathy had the answer. Cathy will be remembered for instituting the St. Jude’s Math a Thon at the school which raised over $275,000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital. She was named the East Coast St. Jude Teacher of the Year and was invited to visit the hospital. Miss A loved her students... and they knew it and loved her back. She will be fondly remembered by several generations of St. Patrick’s students and deeply missed by her friends and colleagues at the school.

Cathy was the traveler of the family. Whether the beaches of Bermuda or Hawaii or the cities of Europe, she was there with her camera. She loved to read, do crossword puzzles, watch reality TV and play solitaire. Cathy also had a deep faith in the Lord and was a longtime parishioner of St. Virgil’s Church in Morris Plains.Cathy’s family was everything to her. She was kind to all, generous and a devoted friend. There is a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled. We love you “Kiki”.

Cathy is survived by her sister, Jo-Ann Higgs and her husband George of Newton; her brother, Joseph J. Auriemma, Jr. and his wife Yvette of Morris Township; two nieces, Theresa M. Auriemma & Nicole Dickerson; one nephew, Joseph J. Auriemma III; one aunt, Mary Nigro (Auriemma); as well as many cousins, her beloved fur baby, Charlie, and countless dear friends and colleagues.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the visitation held at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison on Friday, January 8, 2021 from 4:00PM to 8:00PM. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 10:00AM at St. Virgil’s Church, 250 Speedwell Ave, Morris Plains. For those that wish, you may attend the funeral service virtually via live-stream by clicking this link at the time of the service. Entombment will be held at Holy Rood Cemetery, Morris Township.

** Visitors to the funeral home and church are required to wear masks and practice proper social distancing. In order to maintain a safe number of people in the funeral home, we kindly and respectfully ask that after paying your respects you give others the same opportunity by making your visit brief.**​

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that charitable contributions be made in Cathy’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105