Barbara A. Cathcart
June 24, 1935—May 16, 2024
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
On Thursday, May 16, 2024, Barbara A Cathcart entered into eternal rest at Nuvance Health Vassar Brothers Medical Center of Poughkeepsie at the age of 88. Barbara was the daughter of the late Frank and Anna Hoffmann, born on June 24, 1935, in Newburgh, NY.
She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy Class of 1953 and was then employed at the New York Telephone Company in Newburgh for ten years.
On September 22, 1963, she and her husband, William (Bill), were married at St. Francis Church in Newburgh.
She was a lifelong sports fan. She loved to watch the NY Mets. Even though she was the proud spouse of a “Navy man” in every way, she cheered on Army at every event she attended unless her beloved Navy team came to West Point to play football, basketball, baseball, and other sports. Barbara was a prolific baker. Her preparations for holiday baking occupied the space of months, and she would turn out close to a thousand cookies as well as multiple fruitcakes and other holiday goodies. She was also an avid gardener, taking the utmost care of her many flowers and plants. Her pride of ownership showed each year when she would spend countless hours outside, attending to the property and preparing beautiful bouquets of cut flowers for her many friends and family members. In recent years, she took great joy in attending the many events and bus trips offered through the Cornwall Recreation Department, where she made many new friends. She was always particularly eager to sign up for trips to casinos, where she could expand on her love of scratch-off lottery tickets by pushing the maximum bet button on slot machines. There was no machine that featured 7s or diamonds that she did not play.
She also loved polka music and she and Bill followed Jimmy Sturr around the area to many events. There are wonderful memories of dances over the years with their friends.
Barbara is survived by her daughter, Susan and husband, Walter Marvel; sister, Elizabeth (Bette) Grethe, brother-in-law Mark Grethe and nephew Peter Grethe. Also, nieces, Nora Reilly and her husband, Michael, Diane Martinez and her husband, Bill; many great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews.
Besides her parents, Barbara was predeceased by her husband Bill; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and David Herbison; nephew, David Herbison; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Barbara also leaves behind her beloved “grand cats” and “grand dogs”.
The family wishes to thank Arianne Sonnenschein and staff of Horizon Family Medical of New Windsor; Dr. John Portelli and staff of the Heart Center in Newburgh; Dr. George Profeta and staff of Hudson Valley Pulmonary Associates in New Windsor; and the Nuvance Health Vassar Brothers heart valve team for their kindness, compassion and wonderful care shown to Barbara over the years and especially in recent months.
Visitation was held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, 337 Hudson St., Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi, 145 Benkard Ave., Newburgh, NY. Burial followed the Mass at St. Francis Cemetery, New Windsor NY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barbara’s memory to: The Sisters of the Resurrection, 35 Boltwood Avenue, Castleton-on-Hudson, New York 12033 and Mid-Hudson Animal Aid, Inc, Essie Dabrusin Cat Sanctuary, 54 Simmons Lane, Beacon, New York 12508-4031.
Arrangements are by Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home; to send condolences or to get directions to the funeral home, please go to www.Quigleybros.com