Michele Degan

Catherine Michele Holtz Degan, 76, known fondly as Michele, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. The youngest child of Frank and Mary Holtz, Michele is survived by her loving sister and brother, Mary Ann Breen (Charles) of Sagamore Beach, MA, and Frank Holtz (Susan) of Chico, CA. She was predeceased by her parents and her wonderful husband, Herbert Degan.
A graduate of Montclair State University, Michele spent her professional career at D & R Associates, later known as Controlyne, in Montclair, NJ.
Michele was a steadfast congregant of St. Catherine of Sienna Church in Cedar Grove, where she served as a lector and as a weekly collections counter. She spent years as a volunteer at St. Vincent's Nursing Home and served on the Affiliate's Board as an officer.
Michele's lifelong passion was her love of cats. From her early years, there was at least one cat in her life. Most recently, it was Duffy followed by Thomas.
In addition to her siblings, Michele leaves to mourn her nieces and nephews, Jackie Breen Chabot, Andrew Breen, Liz Breen Vasapollo, Patty Breen Morrill, Jennifer Breen MacKay, Alex Holtz, Nicholas Holtz, Herb's family, her BFF of seventy years, Mary Manger Reece and her family, and her Cedar Grove friends and neighbors.
Visitation will be on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at Shook's Cedar Grove Funeral Home, 486 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, N.J. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Cedar Grove with interment to follow at Hollywood Cemetery, Union, N.J. Memories and condolences may be shared at shookscedargrove.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to St. Catherine of Siena Heritage Fund, 339 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, N.J. 07009 (Please make your checks payable to: SCS – The Heritage Fund) and/or Rosemarie's Rescue Ranch, Inc., 528 Bloomfield Ave., Verona, N.J. 07044.