Catherine “Cay” Fitzgerald Volpe (1936-2025) grew up in New Rochelle, NY. She attended St. Gabriel H.S. and Hunter College. She remained at her “summer job” at TIAA CREF for 44 years, advancing through the ranks in human resources, a career path that was rare for women at the time. She wrote the maternity leave policy for the company when she was on maternity leave in 1971 as the second woman to return to work after having a baby. Starting in 1964, Cay and her husband Al resided in Woodside, Queens on 39th Drive in Berkeley Towers where she served on the Board as President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. She was active in the community, both in Kiwanis and by serving multiple elected terms on the District 30 School Board.
Cay moved to White River Junction, Vermont in 2020. Cay was predeceased by her husband Alphonse “Al”. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law: Alison Volpe Holmes and Michael Holmes of Etna, NH; four grandchildren: Maya, Luke, Ian, and Nora; and 18 nieces and nephews.
A gathering will be held at Thomas M. Quinn & Sons Funeral Home, located at 41-45 58th Street, Woodside, NY 11377, on Thursday, August 7, 2025, from 3 to 8 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, 58-02 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, New York 11377, on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 9:45 am.
The graveside service will take place at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY, immediately following.
