Catherine F. Bianchi, 68, of Allenwood, NJ, passed away after a sudden illness on May 16, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Atlantic City, NJ, while surrounded by family and friends.
Visitation will be on Sunday, May 21, from 1 to 5pm at Orender Family Home, 2643 Old Bridge Rd, Manasquan, NJ. Funeral Mass at St Catherine’s Church in Spring Lake on Monday at 9:30am.
Catherine was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who despite having a demanding career always found time for family and friends. She was generous to a fault with her time, affection, and resources, and she added a sense of grace and cheerfulness to everything she did.
Born in Beacon, NY, on October 27, 1948, to Francis James and Congetta (Vitrano) Cahill, Cathi was raised by her mother’s second husband, Carl Daniels, as his own. The family lived in many places, but the house down the street from Grandmother Vitrano’s in Red Bank would be home base. While most of her education occurred in NJ, she spent two years in a one room school house in Chitose, Japan, while her step-father served in the US Army. Cathi graduated from Red Bank High School in 1966 where she displayed an early interest in a business career by being officer at the local and state level for DECA, a business club. It was through the club that she met her first husband, James M. Pease, and the father of their son, James C. Pease. After years of working for businesses and raising her son, Cathi was finally able to pursue a degree. She earned a BS and MBA from Monmouth University finishing in 1994.
Catherine put those degrees to work over the years that followed starting with positions at Monmouth University as the Associate Director of the Real Estate Institute and then as the Director of the MBA Program. She went on to be the Director of Marketing Services at Cornerstone Management Solutions. This was followed in 2007 by Catherine finding a home at Seton Hall University as the Stillman School’s Director of Graduate Admissions. It was here that her warm, personal outreach approach contributed greatly to the recruiting of talented graduate students. She was instrumental in securing educational alliances with Atlantic Health and Verizon. Catherine’s relationship with the NJ Chapter of the National Black MBA Association lead to her being recognized by them in 2016 for her contributions to their programs.
Although Catherine “retired” in January 2017, she was happy to learn that she could continue to serve Seton Hall by becoming the Assistant Director of the College of Nursing’s Accelerated BSN Program at the Lakewood campus of Georgian Court University. Her work ethic, fierce loyalty to Seton Hall, and the much shorter commute made it an offer too hard to refuse. Catherine was a tireless professional with a passion for her work. Her cheerful and positive attitude inspired her colleagues and assistants.
That positive attitude carried over into her personal life as she worked to serve the community and its members in various ways. Families in need have been helped to better enjoy holidays, flowers have brightened public spaces, and Catherine and her husband, Ted Bianchi, offered the services of their business, Busy B’s Launderettes, at no charge for weeks to victims of Superstorm Sandy. If Cathi could help, she would. If she could get you to smile, she would. If she could make sure you knew she was thinking of you, she would.
Cathi spent her last weekend in SC with her son for his birthday, and to celebrate Mothers’ Day with him, his wife and their son. Spending time with her grandson was her greatest joy and she never missed a chance to be with or talk with him. James Christopher added another level of love and joy to her life.

Catherine is survived by her dedicated husband of 34 years, Ted Bianchi, who built the beautiful home that they enjoyed together, and who never tried to rein in Cathi’s generous spirit. They cherished the date of August 3, 1995, as the anniversary of taking their vows at St. Catherine’s Church in Spring Lake, NJ. She also leaves a son, James Christopher and wife, Stacey and grandson, James Christopher II of N.Myrtle Beach, SC: brothers James Cahill and wife Loretta Ellis-Cahill of Margate, Florida, and Carl Daniels Jr of Raeford, NC; and many other relatives and dear friends.
Cathi’s sudden departure leaves family and friends heartbroken and stunned. Yet all are grateful for the time they had with her and for the chance to share in her love of life, her sense of fun, and her endless generosity. Her beautiful spirit lives on in those she touched with her graceful spirit.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Catherine’s memory can be made to:
Seton Hall University 400 South Orange Avenue South Orange, NJ 07079
Attn: Anthony Bellucci Director of Annual Giving. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.com.

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