Catherine T. Czaja

Died Friday, January 17, 2014, resident of Alexandria,VA. Born in Bronx, NY on August 3, 1934 to Bernard and Katherine Quinn. Beloved wife to Donald Czaja for 45 years; mother of Jane (Scott) Pollard, Francesca Czaja, Edward (Elisabeth) Czaja, and Mary (Joseph) Symons. Also survived by five grandchildren, her sisters: Marie Mathis Hamill, Eileen Andrews, Geraldine Leppert, and her brothers Thomas and John Quinn. Her brothers Vincent and Bernard Quinn, and sisters Celia Gorman and Josephine Halpine proceed her in death.

She entered into the Army Student Nurse Program in 1959 and she received her commission as a Second Lieutenant in Army Nurse Corps Reserve and then served two years active duty after receiving her degree from Bellevue and Mills Schools of Nursing; Division of Nursing of the School of Medicine of New York University in 1960. She was promoted to First Lieutenant in 1962 while stationed at the Walter Reed Army Reed Medical Center, Washington, DC. Thereafter she served various occupational health nursing positions for the Departments of Defense and Commerce. After raising her children, she re-entered to nursing at Fairfax Hospital and Primus. Catherine was also an active member of her parish church for years which included being active in the Women’s Club, a member of the Legion of Mary, ACCA food pantry coordinator for her parish, and AAA Women for Choice for many years.

Visitations on January 27th from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at Demaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Road Springfield, VA. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:30 am at Queen of Apostles Catholic Church 4329 Sano St, Alexandria, VA 22312. Burial will follow at Quantico National Cemetery located at 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AAA WOMEN FOR CHOICE 9380 Forestwood Lane, Manassas, VA 20110.