Catherine Arline Connelly Goldberg passed away peacefully April 27 at her home in Middletown. She was in the loving presence of her husband Dan and her adoring family. Cathy was 67 years old.
Born Dec. 3, 1952 in Denver, Colorado to Col. Frank P Connelly Jr. and Phyliss Marshall Connelly, she was the wife of Daniel B. Goldberg, M.D. since 1976 and mother to their two sons, Adam of New York, New York and Jeffrey of Arvada, Colorado.
She was a devoted sister to Frank P. Connelly III of San Antonio, Texas; and sister-in-law to Helen Crouse of Raleigh, North Carolina, Julie Goldberg of Brookdale, California, and David Goldberg of Madison, Connecticut. She was a loving grandmother to Logan Alexander Goldberg (son of Jeffrey and Tracy) and Emerson Grace Goldberg (daughter of Adam and Nicole).
Her early years were spent as part of a military family in North, South and Central America. She attended and graduated from high school at the American School of Guatemala and from college and nursing school at East Carolina University. Cathy went on to become a much-loved oncology nurse at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City, as well as serving for years as the founding head nurse at Atlantic Eye Surgical Center in Long Branch, where her spirit still inspires the patient-centered eye surgical care.
Cathy met Dan, the love of her life, a renowned ophthalmologist, at the George Washington University Hospital in 1975. They settled in Rumson where they joyfully raised their family.
After Super Storm Sandy in 2012, Dan and Cathy moved to Middletown where they created another warm and beautiful home nestled among trees, streams, wildlife and tranquility. Their home was an expression of the serenity and peacefulness found in their loving hearts.
Cathy and Dan raised two wonderful children, Adam and Jeffrey, who have become well-respected leaders in their chosen professions. Each is happily married, raising their own very young children. Cathy beamed with happiness when talking about her children and grandchildren. In her eyes, each was a jewel, epitomizing one of life’s most cherished blessings.
Her children remember their mom as the emotional center of gravity in the family. The unconditional love she provided was a unifying spirit, inspiring goodness in everyone around her and above everything else. Cathy never complained; her disposition always engendered gratitude and harmony.
Her dear friends at the Tower Hill Church in Red Bank, where she dedicated years of loyal service to others, describe Cathy as deeply faithful. Her role and impact at Tower Hill Church was far-reaching. She was a devoted member for 18 years, serving as deacon on the Nurture Team, elder on the Missions Team, and leader of the Grief Care Ministry and Women’s Circle. She delivered communion to the homebound and led gardening projects for the homeless, activities which she loved greatly. She supported the Abigail Circle’s mission of sorting clothing to deliver to disadvantaged and isolated people. Because of Cathy, Tower Hill was able to enhance the meal distribution to the underserved.
In addition to her life at the church, Cathy was a volunteer, advocate and champion of women’s health issues and supporter of Monmouth Medical Center. She collaborated on the launch of the inaugural Women’s Health and Wellness Conference. And for many years, Cathy was instrumental in organizing the Monmouth Medical Center Antique and Garden Show, spearheading and supervising the Annual Garden Tour and also was devoted to supporting Swing Pink. The proceeds from these events directly supported the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Breast Cancer Center at Monmouth Medical Center.
Along with her family and friends, Cathy enjoyed travel and sports. She was a member of Hollywood Golf Club in Deal for 25 years and, for the last decade, a member of Navesink Country Club in Middletown. Cathy enjoyed golf and racquet sports with family and many friends and spent many happy days on the ski slopes and golf links with her family.
Due to the complications around the current COVID-19 pandemic, a private ceremony will be held at gravesite in Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, with funeral arrangements by Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank. At a date to be scheduled, a Celebration of Life service will be held at Tower Hill Church in Red Bank.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you please either donate to the charity of your choice to help fight the daunting battle against the coronavirus or to Tower Hill Church, where Cathy was a beloved servant leader.
“This world is not a conclusion; A sequel stands beyond, Invisible as music, But positive, as sound.”
– Emily Dickinson
