Katherine Steffens

Katherine (Hopf) Steffens, 79, of Secaucus, New Jersey passed away on Saturday, September 20th surrounded by her family. Katherine was born to the late Leo and Mary (Halleron) Hopf in Jersey City and lived there before moving to Secaucus for the last 59 Years. She worked at the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center for 25 years, serving as Director during her last 10 years before retiring in 2009.

Katherine was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She is survived by her beloved husband Richard Steffens, her children: Susan Steffens, Richard J. Steffens Jr., Patricia Smeyers and her husband Jarrod, and her furry daughter Casey Marie; her grandchildren: Jarrod R. Smeyers, Zachary Smeyers, and Ayden Smeyers; her siblings: Joan Ellam, and Thomas Hopf and his wife Mary; her brother-in-law Arthur Temple and his wife Ellen. She is also survived by many cousins, extended family members, and so many friends, all of whom she loved with her whole heart.

Kathy graduated from Henry Snyder High School in Jersey City. She was a fixture in Secaucus and was very involved with her community. She was a voracious reader, and she was a big proponent of promoting literacy. She helped found the Friends of the Library. You could find her each Sunday at the Immaculate Conception Church gift shop. She had a very strong faith, taught CCD, and sign language. Kathy also loved going on town trips to see Broadway and community theater shows, and she enjoyed the senior casino trips.

She was great at being a friend and would stop to talk to anyone. She made people feel truly seen. Her favorite quote was by Maya Angelou. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Kathy made us all feel happy, supported, and deeply loved. Her sweet smile and warm hugs will live in our hearts forever.

A visitation for Katherine will be held Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 from 4 to 8PM at Mack Memorial Home, 1245 Paterson Plank Road, Secaucus. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered on Thursday, September 25th at 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, 1219 Paterson Plank Rd. Secaucus, followed by her burial at Holy Cross Cemetery, 340 Ridge Rd, North Arlington, NJ.