Catherine Abbruzzi, age 102, of Howell, NJ, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 21, 2024, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. She was born June 11, 1922, in Perth Amboy, NJ, to the late Olekca (Alex) and Eva (Swirski) Kryski.  Catherine was known to family and friends as Kay or Kasha.  

On Nov. 6, 1948, she married her husband, Joseph R. Abbruzzi, whom she supported during his long military career as a submariner.  Joseph passed away on Sept. 3, 1993, after 44 years of marriage. 

She was employed by U.S. Home Corporation in Freehold, NJ, as an Executive Administrator, retiring after 20 years of service.

Catherine spent many happy years involved in her children's lives always promoting education and self improvement. She was an avid reader and emphasized grammar, penmanship and writing skills. She loved crossword puzzles and excelled at quickly completing them. All who knew Catherine will recall her bright smile that she shared so lovingly. Dedication to her family and friends, pride in her Ukrainian Heritage, and the selfless, kind way she lived her life is the beautiful legacy she leaves behind.

Catherine is survived by her children Robert (Cindy) Abbruzzi of Dublin, OH; Richard (Trisha) Abbruzzi of Canton, OH; Joseph (Carol) Abbruzzi of Novi, MI; and Marianne Abbruzzi Alterisio Hickok of Howell, NJ. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren, Christopher (Kristin) Abbruzzi, Randy Abbruzzi, Sarah (Jim) Hamilton, Michael (Jill) Abbruzzi, Melinda (Jonathan) Dietz, Ashley (Dan) Schwartz, Emily (Mikey) Abbruzzi, Robert Alterisio, and Alex Alterisio; plus 9 great-grandchildren, Gabriella, Lydia, and Joseph Abbruzzi, Maeve Byers, Taylor Hamilton, Ethan Abbruzzi, Emilia Dietz, Robert Alterisio and Breyden Higgins. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by daughter, Joan Abbruzzi; son-in-law, Robert Alterisio; son-in-law, Douglas Hickok; and four sisters, Mary Kryski, Anne Kolb, Olga Gurzo, and Helen Mizerak.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 26, 6-8 p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Home, 6250 US Highway 9 South, Howell, NJ.  A mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, July 27, 9:30 a.m. at Church of Saint Veronica, 4215 US Highway 9, Howell, NJ. Burial will follow at Ocean County Memorial Park.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Catherine’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Hospital. (www.stjude.org)