Died January 18, 2021.

St. James Elementary School, Red Bank, NJ

Preschool

Obituary:

 Catherine “Cathy” Villani, 49 of Shrewsbury passed away on Monday, January 18th 2021 at home from Covid complications.

Cathy was born in Neptune at Jersey Shore Medical Center. She grew up in Wall and upon marriage she settled in Red Bank and raised her family in Shrewsbury. She was a graduate of St Catharine’s Grammar School, St Rose High School and received her BS degree with honors from Rosemont College, she then continued her education at Monmouth University where she received her Master’s degree in Elementary Education.

She began her career in education as a Director of Instruction at Yellow Duck Preparatory School in Manalapan, continuing onto Learning Tree Preschool in Red Bank as an administrator and teacher. Her most recent employment was at St James in Red Bank as a Pre-K teacher. Her passion and love for the kids over the many years was immense. She found such joy in touching little lives and gave every piece of her heart while working with them for over 25 years.

Cathy loved her family and friends fiercely with so much unconditional love. She brought her beautiful smile everywhere she went and radiated happiness and joy to all who knew her. She always had a gift to love, care for and nurture. She touched many lives with a generous and selfless spirit. She leaves behind a legacy of beautiful memories with everyone she knew. Cathy was a loving and beautiful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt and friend.

She is predeceased by her sister Lauren Michelle Coll. Surviving is her loving husband of 20 years, Mark Villani, her three amazing sons Matthew (18), Ryder (16) and Nicholas (10). Her devoted parents, Mary Anne Libonati Coll of Wall Twp. and Christopher Thomas Coll III of Wall Twp. Her sister Kimberly Brehm and her husband John of Wall, her brother Christopher Thomas Coll IV and wife Paula of Orlando, Fla. Her nieces and nephews whom she adored as if they were her own: Cassidy, Christopher T. V, Jessica, Kelly and Megan. She had many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends whom she adored and loved so dearly. She loved her furry family canine “Izzy” so much. She was truly grateful for the care and shared custody of her furry canine nephew “Kota” with the Happy Tails Veterinary Hospital family for all the love and care he’s received.

Cathy had a strong faith and her pure joy was spending good times with her amazing family and friends. She loved working with children, the beach, photography, good food, tan feet, Ray Ban’s, Navy & White. May we all live life as Cathy did: Abundantly kind, overwhelmingly generous with remarkable grace.

There will be a private mass due to COVID-19 restrictions at St Catharine’s Church in Spring Lake at 10:30 AM on Saturday, February 6th 2021, with a procession to St Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt for the burial service. The funeral mass will be live streamed for family and friends to watch: St CatharineSt Margaret Parish | StreamSpot or you can go to www.StCatharine-StMargaret.org , then look for the ” Watch Mass at St. Catharine Church here” icon and then click. The service will be archived as well for future viewing.

In lieu of flowers, The Villani Education fund has been set up through gofundme.com for Cathy’s sons. Fundraiser by Kari Rallo : Villani Education Fund (gofundme.com)

To offer online condolences to the family please visit www.obrienfuneralhome.com