Katherine "Garthwaite" Manahan-Moran

Katherine Marie Teresa Garthwaite Manahan Moran was born the fifth of sixth children on May 21, 1928. Her parents were Edward F. Garthwaite and Frances Garthwaite. She grew up with brothers Edward F. Garthwaite, Jr. and Martin Garthwaite and sisters Mary Jane Garthwaite, Rita Garthwaite and Joan Garthwaite. Her early years were spent in Roselle Park NJ. Her family endured the Great Depression, and her memories of that difficult time were strong. Later, she attended and completed Nursing training at the Jersey City Medical Center. She had survived a terrible childhood automobile accident as a pedestrian when she was 6 years old and spent many weeks in the hospital recovering. She remembered that when she first woke up in the hospital room, she was surrounded by flowers, and she thought she had gone to heaven. She met her future husband, Dunellen native Roderick David Manahan, on a blind date. Their romance began and would last for three decades. Their children, Margaret, Thomas, Mary Jane, James and Elizabeth followed over the next 16 years. Rod and Kathy spent many happy years together. When her children were in grade school, Kathy helped start the St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic School Library. Her love of reading had inspired her. She would often forgive students' overdue book fines, believing having the child read the book was more important than whether it got returned on time. She volunteered at St. John School and Church numerous times. She lived with her mother- in-law, Dorothy, and cared for her in her later years as her vision became increasingly limited. After, Rod suffered from cancer but made a full recovery, only to pass after cancer returned a second time just a few short years later. Throughout sickness and health, Kathy's dedication to and love and care for Rod never wavered. A few years after, she met and married her second husband, Joseph. Their relationship lasted only 6 years, when Joseph died, again after being cared for by Kathy in his final illness. Kathy loved all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with them and was always generous to them. She loved all the happy Summers at the Jersey Shore with family and friends. In her management of the family household, Kathy was an organizational genius. Everything had its place, and each child had assigned chores which were expected to be conducted without request and certainly without complaint. She believed strongly in the value of a good education. She loved watching all football and reading nonfiction, biographies and especially the history of the English Kings and Queens. In her later years, she moved to Vermont to care for her family and cherished her times with her northern friends. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret, sons, Thomas and James and her many grandchildren and great- grandchildren. She is now at peace and happily reunited with those who passed before her, nearly the last guest to arrive at the great cocktail party in the sky.