- Date Of Birth: December 21, 1928
- Date Of Death: August 20, 2017
- State: New Jersey
Catherine M. Gillen, 88, of Ridgewood, NJ died peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 20, 2017.
Catherine was born on December 9, 1928 in Queens, NY. The oldest of three children, she was born to John and Catherine (nee McCarthy) Dougherty. She attended Bishop McDonald High School in Brooklyn, NY and continued her education at Misericordia University in Dallas, PA. Additionally, a Master’s Degree in Language Arts and a Certificate in Library Science was earned at Paterson State Teachers College (now known as William Paterson University) in Wayne, NJ. Upon graduating, Catherine became an elementary school teacher. She was also a substitute teacher and librarian in the Ridgewood school system. Catherine worked at Associated Pile & Fitting Corp. in Clifton, NJ as a researcher, and was a member of AAUW, Saint Gabriel’s Church, Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Ridgewood, NJ.
Catherine married Frank J. Gillen of New York, NY on August 30, 1952 and passed ten days prior to their 65th wedding anniversary. Together they raised six children: Clare Gillen Stefan (married to Ed) of Atlanta, GA; Paul Gillen of Evanston, IL; Christopher Gillen of Ridgewood, NJ; Gregory Gillen (married to Dorothy) of Haworth, NJ; Maura Gillen Eidschun (married to Don) of Ridgewood, NJ; and Peter Gillen of Glen Rock, NJ.
Cathy is survived by her husband, Frank, her six children and nine grandchildren. She is preceded in death by two of her grandsons, Cameron Gillen of Evanston, IL and Scott Gillen of Haworth, NJ. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanne Murray of Lincoln Park, NJ and her brother, Jack Dougherty of Franklin Lakes, NJ, as well as many nieces and nephews.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
