Mary Margaret Montague Catena was born in New York City on January 25, 1936. She was the middle sister to Nellie and Florence, and older sister to the youngest in the family, Douglas. She is survived by her brother Douglas Montague of Lakewood, New Jersey. Private arrangements are by The Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny
As a little girl she loved visiting Central Park and the museums and her beloved grandfather at the building where he worked as a doorman. The family moved to Kearny while she was still very young and that is where Mary spent her life. She loved Kearny and no matter where she went there was, to her, no place like home. She attended Kearny High School. She worked at a Kearny Savings bank as young woman.
She met and married the love of her life Raymond Catena Jr. by the time she was 19. They enjoyed 41 years of marriage and lived a very happy life together. The couple had many friends and relatives and threw many parties. They enjoyed their pool and barbecuing. Mary was also an amazing cook and was famous for her meatballs, gravy and manicotti, recipes taught to her by her beloved mother in law Antoinette Catena. Mary lost her beloved Raymond in 1996, when he lost his battle with lung cancer.
Mary loved Broadway so much she incorporated her love for it into a business called Mary’s Theater Parties in the early 1980’s. Mary’s Theater Parties provided a bus to New York, a wonderful meal and great and affordable show tickets to many happy customers who then became lifelong friends. She had such a passion for her business that she expanded her services to travel.
Everyone loved Mary, and always had fun with her as their guide, whether going to see a Broadway show, or to see their favorite entertainer, or to Atlantic City, Wildwood or Europe. Wherever she went Mary brought the fun. She loved life, loved to laugh and always looked on the bright side.
Mary was never one to sit back and let life pass her by. Later in life, she met her best friend Marie Davis. The two liked to call themselves the "M&Ms". They loved to dance and sing and travel together with Mary's extended family.
Loved by her many nieces and nephews and their friends, old and young, Mary was everyone's Aunt Mary. Her laugh, her smile, her positive outlook and love for everyone will never be forgotten. There has never been, nor will there ever be, anyone like Mary Catena. God rest her lovely soul.
Please consider donating to ASPCA as Mary and her husband were lifelong animal lovers and rescuers and their children were all fur babies. A Memorial service and celebration of her life will be announced in the coming months as a result of the current Covid-19 virus restrictions.
