Catherine J. Pezzella, age 79, of Stratford, passed away on April 16, 2025. Catherine (Cathy) was born in the Bronx, New York on September 30, 1945, to the late Enrique and Emily (Rivera) Cervera and had been a long-time area resident. Cathy lived on Long Island for years until her parents decided to move to Manhattan. She graduated from George Washington High School in Manhattan and earned an associate's degree from The John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Cathy was a woman of faith; she sent her kids to Catholic School and church on Sundays. She was so happy when both her daughter and son completed their sacraments and became Altar Servers. Cathy was a long-time parishioner at St John's Church in Kingsbridge, Bronx.  It was at St. John's that she became part of a "Cursillo" which is a Catholic movement that provides a method for Christians to deepen their faith. It was after this Cursillo that she decided that she wanted to go to Israel and walk where Jesus walked. This pilgrimage would take her almost 20 years to complete. In 1997 Cathy's wish came true, when she landed in Israel. She visited Jerusalem, The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. She was baptized in the River Jordan. She also visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher where it is believed to be where Jesus was crucified. Up until she passed away, she always talked about her trip to Israel.

Cathy started her career as a Bank Teller then a Bank Adjuster for Chemical Bank. She worked there for over 20 years.  While working she decided to go back to school at night and get her degree. Once she graduated, she took a job with the New York Criminal Justice Agency. Where she worked for almost 15 years and ultimately retired.

Cathy is survived by her devoted daughter, Lisa Sullivan, and her husband, Kenneth. She is lovingly known as Nana to her cherished grandchildren, Christopher (Rebecca) McGinn and Michael (Rosa) McGinn, Emily, Teresa, Catherine, and Jasmine Pezzella, great-grandchildren, Jezaiah, Victoria, Juliana, Roman, Addie, and "soon to be born" Dominic, and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Catherine was pre-deceased by her son, Richard Pezzella, and siblings, Henry, Frances, and Richard Cervera.

Visitation is on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 4-7 pm in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford.   Internment is private.