Obituary of Catherine Gaul

Catherine (Kay) Gaul, 89 joined her beloved husband Joe and son Joey on Saturday, July 10. Kay was born the youngest of four children to Catherine and James McCardle in Jersey City, NJ; Kay often reminisced about her childhood in Jersey City, playing on the streets, the diversity of an immigrant and first generation American neighborhood and crossing the river and exploring Manhattan. Kay was proud of her Irish heritage but even more so to be American and the sister of a returned World War II prisoner of war/hero. Kay met the love of her life, Joe, at 19 when a mutual friend fixed them up. Although Kay was never more than a few miles from home in New Jersey; she followed her heart and Joe to Parris Island, South Carolina. Kay was a military wife before returning to New Jersey and building their family home of 60 + years in Oakland. After marrying Joe, Kay's only dream was for a family and after many, many years of trying they welcomed their daughter, Kathleen followed by Joey. Never were children loved by parent (s) as much as Kathleen and Joey were loved by Kay. After Kathleen's birth, Joe always called Kay "Mother" as it was the only title she ever wanted. Kay was the perfect mother; she was warm, loving, funny, silly and her art of telling (embellishing) stories was legendary. Kay was an active parent in her children's school and a founding parishioner of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oakland. Kay is survived by her heartbroken daughter, Kathleen, sister-in-law/lifelong friend, Martha, and many nieces, nephews and friends who will miss her loving ways. Visiting Wednesday 3-7 Pm at Oakland Memorial Home, 330 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ. Funeral Thursday 10 AM At Our lady of Perpetual Help Church, Oakland, NJ. Interment to follow at Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes, NJ. Memorial donation in Kay's name made to Special Olympics New Jersey, 1 Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648, would be appreciated