Catherine Ann Policastro (Kay), age 85, passed away on March 5th in Toms River, New Jersey. Kay was born in Bayonne on January 3, 1936 to Charles and Mary Podraza. Kay was raised in Avenel, New Jersey. She graduated Saint Mary’s High School in Woodbridge in 1953. She also attended at Middlesex County College.
Kay worked as a secretary at Perth Amboy Alternative High School and had formed special relationships with the students there. She was also employed as executive secretary for Raritan River Steel in Perth Amboy and even met with President Carter when he visited. Kay received her real estate broker license and worked many years for J.J. Elek Realty in Woodbridge, New Jersey. She loved working with people and made many friends while working there.
Kay loved books and was an avid reader. She would sometimes be caught reading 2-3 books at a time, mostly mysteries. She loved watching the game show Jeopardy and due to her lifelong love of reading and learning, always seemed to know all the answers to the questions. Although born and raised Catholic, Kay admired and explored many forms of spirituality. You could always find interesting topics to talk with her about, as she was always reading and learning about new ideas and old ones too. Kay loved many things, but above all, she loved her three children and family. She was a loving mother and her children were always her number one priority.
Kay had a special connection to butterflies and color, purple being her favorite. Nothing was quite complete unless it had a pop of color. Kay loved music, especially music that seemed to touch the soul like Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, Engelbert Humperdinck, and many more. Kay was a gentle, soft spoken soul, who people were drawn to for advice and comfort. People felt safe coming to her with their worries and concerns as she was a good listener and always had a calming effect and offered good advice. Kay had a gentle, loving nature that people and animals seemed to be drawn to. She had that special something that gave comfort to others.
Kay is survived by her son Jeffrey Policastro and his wife Jacquelyn Policastro of Manahawkin, New Jersey, son Gregory Policastro and his wife Marylouise Policastro of Paris, Tennessee, daughter Jill Kollman-Martin and husband Paul Martin of Lacey, New Jersey, sister Carol Knittel of Carteret, grandchildren, Emily, Drew, Zachary, Stella, and Reece who were her joy and two great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, along with extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Podraza. A visitation will be held at the Thos. L Shinn Funeral home on Tuesday from 2-6PM with a service at 5:30 PM. Cremation will be private . Condolences may be sent to our website at www.shinnfuneralhome.com. Covid-19 restrictions are in place at the funeral home.
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