On February 19th, 2026, Cathy Borysewicz, 70, of Parkertown NJ  peacefully left this world surrounded by her loving family. To know Cathy, you understood how warm, giving and caring she was to all she met. She was a devoted wife, unconditionally loving mother, grandmother (gaga), sister, aunt and friend. She valued family above all things and poured herself into each and every celebration, trip, milestone and moment spent together.

Cathy was born May 10, 1955 in Baumholder, Germany to parents Herbert and Marie Neander while her father was stationed in the Army. Cathy grew up in Whippany, New Jersey with her three sisters Lori, Karen and Gail who she considered her best friends. Cathy attended school at Whippany Park and growing up enjoyed dancing recitals, cheerleading, swim team and even won Spirit Queen her senior year. They were a close-knit family and spent weekends visiting cousins, playing in their neighborhood with friends and swimming at Bee Meadow Pool right around the corner. Her sisters and her shared an unbreakable bond and talked together constantly, always connecting and leaning on one another throughout the years.

Cathy attend The College of New Jersey (Trenton State) for Speech Pathology and Audiology and a Master degree in Student Personnel and Counseling. Shortly after graduating, Cathy ventured to Syracuse University to work as an housing director then traveled cross country in her stick shift Chevrolet Chevette to Greeley, Colorado to work at the University of Northern Colorado as a resident advisor. Cathy eventually came back to New Jersey and moved to Long Beach Island with her sister Gail where she met her husband Stan one night at the Hudson House. After Stan searched for her lost phone number on a matchbook, he called her and the rest was history. They married and bought an 100 year old fixer-upper in Parkertown and shortly after, had their first daughter Erin amongst dirt floors and major construction. Cathy described Stan as always making everything an “adventure”, including one of their first dates on a boat where they had to find shelter in a fishing shack in the middle of the bay during a tornado. Two and a half years later their daughter Dana was born and as their love grew the fixer-upper became a home and an ever-evolving place for the “two piney girls from Parkertown”. Cathy selflessly gave her all to her daughters, allowing them to see themselves always through her unwavering love and her endless devotion to making their childhood memorable. Cathy never missed an event or show and made growing up an incredible experience for her kids. She was always known through her daughters’ friends for being there to drive them all and have “heart to hearts”.

Cathy’s smile and presence lit up a room and her ability to listen, understand and help others came naturally to her. This gift led her to her profession as a school counselor for students with behavioral challenges for over 30 years. All who worked with her knew she met each student with complete acceptance and understanding. She loved holidays and family gatherings and took pride in gift giving to see her loved ones faces light up when they opened her thoughtful gifts. Cathy was the glue that held her family together. Without asking, she was always there providing words of wisdom, love and support for all she knew. She spent her days watching the hummingbirds and wildlife on her deck, having cook-outs in the backyard, drives to the lighthouse and bay, Jeopardy at night, trips to Atlantic City with her best friend June and planning mini-getaways to Lancaster, PA, which she enjoyed so much. Frequent visits from her grandkids brightened her day and her child-like enthusiasm for life shined through all their time together. Going to see a show at Surflight Theater always was a nice treat for them all. Anything Stan grew in their garden, she could whip up in a meal no matter what it was. Her mantra was ‘the best things in life are not things” and she lived this through the experiences she created for her loved ones.

Cathy is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, Stanley, her daughters Erin Carlo, husband Michael Carlo, of Manahawkin and Dana Gillespie, husband Greg Gillespie of Parkertown. Cathy was adored by her four grandchildren, Luna, Nolan, Reed and the newest addition Oliver, her sisters Lori Strunck, Karen Lyons and Gail VanDeBoe and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her loving parents Herbert and Marie Neander.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 7th at 1pm at Daymark in Barnegat Light. A small gathering of remembrance will be held prior at 12pm for all who wish to attend at Barnegat Light State Park Gazebo next to the Barnegat Lighthouse, right near Daymark.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to David’s Dream & Believe Cancer Foundation which provides hope through financial assistance, wellness resources and patient support for families affected by a cancer diagnosis.