Preschool
Patricia Waters, 58
Died January 7, 2021.
John E. Riley Elementary School, South Plainfield, NJ
Pre-kindergarten
Patricia (Campanelli) Waters, 58, passed away at JFK Medical Center in Edison on Thursday, January 7, 2021 after complications from COVID-19. Born in Plainfield to the late John and Ann (Fugman) Campanelli, Patti has been a lifelong resident of South Plainfield where she and her family have deep roots.
Patti is a graduate of the South Plainfield Class of 1980 she went on to earn her degree in Economics at Rutgers University. She began her career as a Pre-K teacher in 1986, here in her hometown and has left a lasting impression on many of the children and families she has taught. As a Preschool teacher, Patti spent most of her career working for the South Plainfield Board of Education at Future Stars, and most recently working at Riley Elementary School Pre-K.
She is a member of the NJEA. She was a member of the SPHS Marching Band Music Boosters. She loved to read mystery novels, do crafting, scrapbooking, decorating the house for every holiday, going to the beach, being pampered at the nail salon, watching Hallmark movies, beating her husband at mini golf, watching reality shows, watching her children play sports and attend marching band competitions. Patti leaves behind her husband; Scott; son, Matthew and daughter, Stephanie. Also surviving is her Father-in-law Thomas Waters, her sister-in-law Sharon McCabe (Waters), husband Bernard McCabe, nieces Heather Leavy (McCabe) and husband Thomas Leavy, Shannon McCabe and nephew Kevin McCabe. She also leaves behind her loving friends and students. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the families’ desire of safety, Patti’s funeral will be private. A public memorial service will be held at a later date.
Catherine Villani, 49
Died January 18, 2021.
St. James Elementary School, Red Bank, NJ
Preschool
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
Julie Foshee-Knowell, 44
Died December 20, 2020.
Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
Preschool Director
A Jacksonville, Florida, preschool is left reeling over the holidays after losing two members of its staff.
The beloved women were also closely related.
Marilyn Foshee, 81, and her daughter, Julie Foshee-Knowell, 41, were longtime employees at Trinity Christian Academy. Both were diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November and died within days of each other.
Foshee-Knowell, the preschool director, died on Sunday. Her mother, a teacher, died Dec. 15.
“I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about, and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people,” Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told The Florida Times Union of the double tragedy.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by one of Julie’s friends, Angie Dennard, to help offset just Marilyn Foshee’s funeral costs. Now the money will go toward two services.
Dennard updated the fundraising page on Sunday hours after the news of Foshee-Knowell’s passing due to coronavirus complications.
“Thank you to all who have donated so far. I know that her brother [Ray Foshee] would appreciate us all helping him out during this difficult time in his life,” wrote Dennard. “Julie and her mom will be missed by all. Let’s continue to lift her family up in prayers.”
As of midday Wednesday, $6,780 had been reached of the $10,000 goal.
Marilyn Foshee, 81
Died December 15, 2020.
Trinity Christian Academy, Jacksonville, FL
Preschool Teacher
A Jacksonville, Florida, preschool is left reeling over the holidays after losing two members of its staff.
The beloved women were also closely related.
Marilyn Foshee, 81, and her daughter, Julie Foshee-Knowell, 41, were longtime employees at Trinity Christian Academy. Both were diagnosed with COVID-19 in late November and died within days of each other.
Foshee-Knowell, the preschool director, died on Sunday. Her mother, a teacher, died Dec. 15.
“I think this is a time that you come together and you recommit yourself to the mission of what Julie and Marilyn were all about, and that is being selfless and in the sense that you give yourself away to other people,” Trinity spokesman Pastor Tom Messer told The Florida Times Union of the double tragedy.
A GoFundMe page was initially set up by one of Julie’s friends, Angie Dennard, to help offset just Marilyn Foshee’s funeral costs. Now the money will go toward two services.
Dennard updated the fundraising page on Sunday hours after the news of Foshee-Knowell’s passing due to coronavirus complications.
“Thank you to all who have donated so far. I know that her brother [Ray Foshee] would appreciate us all helping him out during this difficult time in his life,” wrote Dennard. “Julie and her mom will be missed by all. Let’s continue to lift her family up in prayers.”
As of midday Wednesday, $6,780 had been reached of the $10,000 goal.