Catherine Theresa Nagengast (2/12/1929 - 2/20/1926)

Catherine Theresa Boyle Nagengast (Kay, Kate), age 97, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 20, 2026, just after celebrating her 97th birthday, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and unforgettable stories. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Elizabeth Boyle, Catherine was the second youngest of eight children. Catherine met and fell in love with her husband Charles at The Chatterbox in Seaside Heights, NJ and married June 6,1953. They spent a long, meaningful, devoted life together for 67 years until Charles passed in April 2020.

Catherine was a firm believer in education and achieved her BA from Newark State College, Union, NJ, in 1972, and continued work towards a Master's Degree at Monmouth College, West Long Branch, NJ, all while teaching and raising her six children. Catherine even bravely travelled solo to Beijing, China on an educational exchange sabbatical during that time.

After years of a fulfilling teaching career educating children from 1st to 12th grades in New Jersey and Indiana, Catherine and Charles retired to Sun City, Arizona, and Mantoloking, New Jersey, to enjoy sunny winters and warm summers with their family and friends. Between traveling and cruising the world, Catherine found time to work as a substitute teacher well into her seventies.

As a young woman, Catherine began a career in fashion and continued her strong sense of style well into her 90’s. If you knew her you knew she was never without a well-coordinated outfit and jewelry!

Catherine was predeceased by her husband Charles and daughter-in-law Dee Ann (Barlow) Nagengast in 2020. Her legacy of love continues through her children; Charles J Nagengast (Dee Ann) Lubbock, TX, Suzan C Reinhard (Walter/Skip), Basking Ridge, NJ and Stuart, Fl, Steven P Nagengast (Laura), Mahwah, NJ, Carolyn L Martynowski (Thomas), Basking Ridge, NJ, Nanci A Kirczow (Robert), Leland, NC, George J Nagengast, Basking Ridge, NJ.,her 8 grandchildren,15 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine, our Kay,our Mom our Mommy, was an engaging woman with a remarkable gift for turning strangers into friends and friends into family. Her personality lit up every room she entered. It was who she was. She had deep faith and always had room on her prayer list for one more. She was an avid reader of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post and loved buying weekly lottery tickets with her partner Skip and regaling us with how she would split her winnings. Those who knew her will remember her beautiful smile, sense of humor, steadfast faith and unwavering optimism.

We will all continue to carry forth her deep roots and our inherited fire, her unbending spirit, the values she instilled and the love she gave so freely. She will be deeply missed and forever loved. Rest In Peace, our beautiful Mom.

Memorial and Celebration of Life to be held later this year.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in her loving memory to a local veterans’ organization of your choice.