Catherine Niedziocha

Catherine J. Niedziocha (1925-2025) passed peacefully Saturday evening, May 24, surrounded by her loving family. Born Catherine Josephine Duff, Bronx, New York, daughter of John and Catherine (Higgins) Duff. Catherine (Kitty as she was affectionately known) grew up in the Bronx where she met Joseph Niedziocha on a trolley ride home from work. They married in 1948 and moved to Cranford, New Jersey, in 1949 where they raised their two children in a home filled with love and laughter. Kitty resided in Cranford most of her life, until 2015 when she moved to Manahawkin, New Jersey.

Friends and relatives are invited to visit Dooley’s Funeral Home in Cranford Tuesday, June 3, from 4 pm – 7 pm and 10 am Wednesday. Mass will be held Wednesday, at St. John the Apostle Church, Linden, at 11 am. Interment will be private.

Kitty was a homemaker and stay at home mom until her children were in their teen years. While raising her family, she managed the food concession at the Clark Rest with her friend Dottie. She was employed at Union County College and was last employed as the purchasing agent for Carbon Steel in Elizabeth where she retired.

Kitty was a caring and generous mom who enjoyed painting, dancing, boating. She was always free with her smiles and laughter, and always had time for friends. Most of all, Kitty loved her family. She was a member of the Cranford Thursday Club and avidly volunteered at the polling booths during elections.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph, son Chris, sister Elizabeth, and brothers Michael, Henry and John. Surviving are her daughter, Catherine Gelnovatch and husband Michael, daughter-in-law Carol Niedziocha, grandchildren Catherine DaSilva and husband Daniel, Chris Niedziocha and wife Stacey, Daniel Niedziocha, great grandchildren Daniel, Catherine, Joseph and Claudia.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her memory to Alzheimer’s Association.