Kathleen Caldwell of Vernon, N.J., passed away peacefully on Monday, Aug. 9, 2021 after a long illness.
Born on Jan. 31, 1950, she was raised in Leetonia, Ohio. Kathy was the daughter of Daniel E. and Sally (nee Muraco) McIlduff.
The oldest of eight siblings, Kathy learned to care for others from a young age and she never stopped. A
fter graduating from nursing school in 1972, Kathy began her nearly half-century career as a nurse, including the last 40 years at St. Anthony Community Hospital.
She leaves behind many fellow nurses who were her dear friends and treated her like family. The family wishes to express their sincerest thanks to all at St. Anthony’s who cared for Kathy over the years.
Kathy was a caring and compassionate person with a tireless work ethic, who was known for her witty sense of humor and selfless generosity. She was also known for her Christmas cookies, as well as her love of music, dancing and the smell of the ocean.
But she found the most joy in spending time on Cape Cod with her grandkids whom she loved immensely.
Kathy is survived by her son Michael of Concord, Mass., and his wife Megan and their children Emily and Allison; and her daughter Megan Penyack and her husband Jonathan and their children Maeve and Maxwell of Ipswich, Mass.; and siblings Anthony McIlduff, Luanne Lunger, Teresa Furniss, Daniel McIlduff, John McIlduff and Suzy McIlduff and many other loved ones.
Kathy was predeceased by her parents and brother James McIlduff.
Memorial visitation was held Aug. 13 at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, Kathy’s family has established a nursing education and training fund in her name at St. Anthony Community Hospital. Donations can be made to this fund, payable to Bon Secours Warwick Health Foundation, 255 Lafayette Avenue, Suffern, NY 10901, or online at https://give.wmchealth.org/CALDWELL
Arrangements were entrusted to Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home. To send an online condolence, visit www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.