Catherine M. Keilp

Catherine was born and raised in Jersey City where she attended St. Anne’s Polish school. She went on to St. Michael's High School in Union City where she graduated with high honors. She loved reading and spent much time in her local library as well as with her friends. Catherine shared a love of learning throughout her life – first, supporting her children's academic achievements, then as a religious education teacher for third grade, and finally with her grandchildren.

Catherine excelled in many ways and shared her talents. Her first job was in the District Court in Jersey City. The year she took the civil service exam, she earned the highest score in the state. She was active in the Secaucus chapter of a women’s organization and earned the designation of Star Recorder.

Catherine was known in her family as a devoted, proud, and adventurous cook. She made sure that dinner was hot for her family no matter what time each of them arrived. She shared that love until her 70’s when she discovered the diner and “retired” from being head chef! She also passed on her culinary skills and recipes to all of her four children and two grandchildren. Catherine will always be known for expanding her repertoire regularly – trying out new recipes both savory and sweet. There had to be some kind of dessert with every dinner!

Catherine had a deep Catholic faith and prayer life as well. She was part of the Morning Prayer Group at Immaculate Conception as well as a daily communicant for years. She attended many Parish Retreats and an annual day of prayer with her husband, John. She had many encounters with holy men and women, including meeting both Padre Pio and Mother Theresa who were later canonized as Saints. We will never know the graces she shared with us.

Love of life was also seen in Catherine’s fondness for flowers and gardens. Catherine would trim and tend a bouquet until the last blossom was spent. She also had a life-long love of dogs, especially her therapy dog, Merlyn, as well as her many feline friends who were her social and sometimes dinner companions for many years.

Catherine will be deeply missed by all those who knew her. Catherine is predeceased by her husband of 60 years, John, and is survived by her four children: Dr. John Keilp (Dr. Carolyn Sikes); Mark Keilp (Mary O’Sullivan); Judith Keilp; and Carol Keilp-Tobin (John Tobin); and by her two grandchildren: Dr. Christopher Sikes-Keilp (Ahnjeanette Nelson) and Dakota Sikes-Keilp.

If you choose, in lieu of flowers, make a donation to one of the following: ASPCA or The Carmelite Missions or the Franciscans