Catherine “Kay” Yanuzzi, age 90 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on April 12, 2024, surrounded by her loving family and under the caring watch of Hunterdon Hospice.

Catherine known as Kay was born on February 18, 1934, in Newark, NJ, daughter of the late Andrew and Helen Wilson. Kay was raised in Harrison, NJ, where she lived for sixty-five years prior to moving to Raritan Township.

Kay’s entire life can be summed up in her love for God, family, and community. She walked life’s journey with devout faith, loving others, and with eternal hope in Christ.

As a child, Kay surrendered her life to Jesus developing a close personal intimate relationship. At age 15, Kay recognized she possessed a special charisma and love for music. She joined the Holy Cross Choir and for the next fifty years lifted up her angelic voice singing and praising God. During that fifty year period, every Sunday she took her place in the choir loft. Kay touched many hearts singing at countless weddings, funerals, and Easter and Christmas midnight Mass. Kay will be most remembered for singing a rendition of “Danny Boy” at the annual St. Patrick’s day Mass. During this solo performance there was not a dry eye among the 2,000 in attendance at Holy Cross Church. After moving to Raritan Township, NJ, Kay joined the St. Magdalen de Pazzi Choir, singing for an additional twenty years. Due to failing eyesight, she retired, but her angelic voice still could be heard from the pews.

Kay was a devoted wife to her true love, John, for thirty years, before he succumbed to cancer on July 24, 1986. Kay displayed unconditional love for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family, and friends. Her support, encouragement and compassion knew no bounds. As a mother she planted seeds of faith in her children’s lives. As a grandmother her Christ like nature was always on display. She never missed an event for the grandchildren including baptisms, first communions, confirmations, graduations, concerts, and sporting events. Kay was her grandchildren’s number one fan. She would always provide them love, support, and encouragement.

Kay’s selfless service to her children and grandchildren was extraordinary. She enjoyed all the family holiday gatherings, filling the house with her love, smile, and embrace.

She enjoyed travelling and spending time with her sisters, brothers, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and lifelong best friend, Dolores.

Kay will always be remembered for the way she extended herself to her family and friends. Kay knew in her heart that she came to serve others not to be served.

Kay was also dedicated to a life of public service. On May 1, 1949, as a head drum majorette, she was the first to walk across the opening of the William Stickel Bridge.

Another memorable event took place on Oct 31, 1968, at the Harrison RCA Plant, where thousands of union workers rallied for presidential candidate, Hubert Humphrey. Kay kicked off the event singing the national anthem.

Kay always answered the call of Harrison, NJ, Mayor Frank Rodgers singing at community events and parades. She also had the honor of singing the national anthem in the 1960’s and 1970’s for presidential candidates, such as John F. Kennedy, at the Jersey City Armory.

Kay continued her role of public service as an administrative assistant to the principal at Lincoln School. Kay’s warm smile and pleasant nature greeted teachers and students for twenty-two years, until retiring in 2011.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Surviving are her children, John, Gerard, and Andrea; her son-in-law, Paul Coleman; daughter-in-law, Linda; her grandchildren, John Michael, Matthew, Gina, Aaron, Noelle, Joshua, Kayla; her great-grandchildren, Lilly, Gianni, Evelina, Alaia, Ezra, Wesley, Harper, Baylee; her sisters, Betty and Helen; brothers, Jimmy and Andrew; her sister-in-law, Mina; brother-in-law, Dan; and her lifelong best friend, Dolores Biase; numerous nieces; nephews; and many dear friends.

Kay will lie in repose on Sunday, April 21, 2024, from 2:00 -5:00 p.m. and Monday, April 22, 2024, from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m., in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Fr. Matthew Marinelli will follow the gathering on Monday, April 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ, and to which all are welcome.

Entombment with her beloved husband, John, will take place privately at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Kay’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of her life.

Those who wish to make a contribution in her memory are asked to do so to the Alzheimer’s New Jersey, via mail at 425 Eagle Rock Avenue, # 203, Roseland, NJ 07068 or online by clicking HERE.

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The following is a heartfelt eulogy written by her son, Gerard:

N MEMORIAM: REFLECTING ON LIFE’S LESSONS FROM MY MOTHER

Today, as we gather to honor and remember the life of my dear mother, I find solace in the words of the first song she taught me. “You’ll Never Walk Alone” – from Carousel, a Broadway Musical, a Hollywood movie, and first recorded in 1945 by Frank Sinatra. This song is not just a melody or a set of lyrics; it is a profound testament to Christian faith, resilience, and the unwavering presence of God even in the face of life’s storms.

My mother, a singer whose voice resonated with the very essence of hope, first introduced me to this song when I was just a young boy. During our humble existence on Hamilton Street in Harrison, she imparted more than just musical notes; she instilled in me a profound understanding of the human spirit’s capacity to endure and triumph.

Take a moment with me now, as I reflect on the timeless Life Lesson encapsulated in the lyrics of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” and as we do, let us draw inspiration from its profound wisdom, interpreted through the lens of Christian faith.

“When you walk through a storm, hold your head up high, and don’t be afraid of the dark.” These words echo the biblical promise that even in the darkest of times, the light of Christian faith illuminates our path. My mother embodied this unwavering faith, facing life’s storms with courage and grace.

“At the end of a storm, there’s a golden sky, and the sweet silver song of a lark.” Throughout her life, my mother taught me that beyond every trial lies the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Her unwavering optimism was a beacon of hope, reminding me that joy awaits those who persevere.

“Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain, though your dreams be tossed and blown.” My mother’s life journey was not without its challenges, yet she never wavered in her determination to press on. She embraced adversity as an opportunity for growth and embraced resilience as a testament to her unwavering spirit.

“Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart, and you’ll never walk alone.” These words encapsulate the essence of my mother’s legacy—a legacy of love, compassion, and unwavering support. She walked beside me, her faith unwavering, her love unconditional, reminding me that I am never alone, no matter the challenges I face.

Today, as we bid farewell to my mother, let us carry forward the invaluable Life Lesson she imparted to me. Let us embrace each new day with courage, face every trial with Christian faith, and walk the path of life with love in our hearts. For as the timeless melody of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” reminds us, love endures, hope persists, God is good, and the legacy of those we cherish lives on in the hearts of those they leave behind.

Rest in peace, dear mother, for I have learned the Life Lesson of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

With Unending Love,

The “Middle Child”

-Gerard

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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