Catherine V. Murphy

CATHERINE VARSACI MURPHY (1951-2022) Catherine Varsaci Murphy was born July 11, 1951 in West Jersey Hospital, Camden to Anthony Varsaci and Antoinette Pino. They lived on the family Varsaci farm in Edgewater Park, NJ. Catherine was sister to Anthony and Marie. In 1960, her mother, brother, and sister were tragically lost in a drowning accident. Catherine and her father continued to live on the family farm near Anthony’s eleven siblings. Catherine attended St. Peter’s Elementary School (Riverside) for her primary education then graduated high school from Holy Cross (Delran) in 1969. Besides working with her family on the farm, Catherine held positions with First National Bank of Riverside (3 years), New Jersey Bell/Verizon (27 years), and PSEG (16 years). Her longest employment with the various New Jersey Bell corporations took her to multiple locations; Burlington City, Mount Holly, Merchantville, Mount Laurel, and Philadelphia, PA. She held titles as service representative, bill collector, and software evaluator. Her retirement job as a bookkeeper at PSEG was located in Bordentown. On September 5th, 1970, Catherine married Timothy Morris Murphy at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Riverside, NJ. She became daughter-in-law to Morris and Frances Murphy (deceased) and sister-law- to Lynne Kinch, wife to John Robert (Bob). Catherine and Tim had two daughters, Cathleen Lynne (51) and Amanda Marie (35); two grandchildren, Sydney Catherine (16) and Tabitha Elizabeth (13). Of her father’s eleven Varsaci siblings, Catherine is survived by Mary T. Varsaci of Edgewater Park, New Jersey. Over time, Catherine became aunt to Jocelyn Braudt, wife to Rev. Robert Braudt and Brian Kinch, husband to Justine. In addition, Catherine is great aunt to Wright Braudt, Cody Braudt, Christopher Braudt, Timothy Kinch, and Melissa Kinch. During their fifty-one years of marriage, Tim and Catherine lived in Burlington Township however relocated to Riverside. Catherine (Cathy) was involved in multiple hobbies, social groups, nonprofit and public organizations, and an entrepreneurial candle business. Of her giving qualities, she was a local philanthropist to multiple horticultural societies, children’s hospitals, and local churches. Catherine volunteered as a bible schoolteacher and nursery provider on Sundays at the Beverly Methodist Church. Also, she was a choir director at the Riverside Methodist Church. She was a life member of the NRA, Hummel Collectors Club, and Aux. Member at Large - Son’s of Union Veterans of the Civil War. She also was part of the Verizon Restoration Team on the Battleship New Jersey. She was best known for her culinary, gardening, crafting, and sewing skills. Catherine attended the Women’s Group of Edgewater Park and Love Apple Quilting Club. For multiple years, she sold her pinecone wreaths and ornaments at local crafting events. Her candle business in the late 80’s, CM Enterprises, sold Little House candles. Catherine sewed historic apparel for reenacting rev-war events with the West Jersey Artillery and then later, created civil war ball gowns from original sewing patterns. All of her many skills were lovingly passed on to her daughters and granddaughters which provided years of enjoyment. In lieu of flowers, a contribution toward a memorial bench on Long Beach Island can be made to the family, payable to Cathleen Brickley, send through Givnish Funeral home. Additional memorial programs include Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square PA https://longwoodgardens.org/support/honor-and-memorial-gifts , St. Jude Hospital https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html , or direct donation to Asbury Methodist Church, Cinnaminson, NJ. Catherine's service on Thursday will be livestreamed and can be viewed using this link: https://www.viewlogies.net/givnish/U2NRVmvzw?pin=460952

Tributes

Catherine V. Murphy

July 11, 1951 - March 6, 2022