Catherine Jane De Sa

Born in New York City, Cay was the daughter of Irish immigrant parents, Thomas and Anne Doherty. She attended St. Gabriel's High School in New Rochelle, where she excelled in academics and athletics and earned numerous awards and scholarships, including for a New York State Science Scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude from the College of Mount St. Vincent in Riverdale and received a Master’s in chemistry from New York University.

Cay became a chemist at Union Carbide, where she met her husband Edward, and was one of the first women that the company sent on a business trip. She began a 50-year career of teaching college chemistry in 1970, starting at Manhattan College. In 1975, she joined the faculty at Westchester Community College to teach chemistry, inspiring hundreds of students with her accessible and engaging style. She led efforts to integrate technology into the classroom and expand the use of online teaching. On sabbatical, she traveled the country learning about virtual technology in education, and in 2003 became an endowed faculty chair for distance learning.

Cay and Ed moved to the Heathcote area in Scarsdale in 1967, where she lived until her death. A tireless advocate for opportunities for her daughter Nancy, Cay ensured that the Scarsdale schools accommodated Nancy’s special needs and allowed her talents to flourish. Cay was known for her tenacity, loyalty, and wit. She maintained a wide circle of friends, including several faithful golden retrievers. She was an avid patron of the Scarsdale library and attended St. Pius X. The Yankees may never see such a fan again.

Cay was predeceased by her husband Edward and her daughter Nancy. She is survived by her daughter Jeanne De Sa of Washington, D.C.

Visiting hours will be from 3pm to 7pm on Thursday September 28, 2023 at the Edwin Bennett funeral home (824 Scarsdale Avenue); a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Pius X Church in Scarsdale (91 Secor Road) at 10AM on Friday September 29, 2023. Interment Kensico Cemetery Valhalla NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Cay's memory can be made to the United Cerebral Palsy national organization (www.ucp.org) or the Westchester Community College Foundation (sunywcc.edu).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ELBennettFuneralHomes.com for the Desa family.