Catherine Farrell Williams Baratta

BAYVILLE, N.J. — Catherine Farrell Williams Baratta, lovingly known as Kay, a cherished mother, devoted wife, and dutiful grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on June 15, 2023, at the age of 92. Her indomitable spirit, fierce will and unwavering love and dedication for her family touched the lives of all who knew her.

Born on March 8, 1931, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Kay was the daughter of John Williams and Anna Gross. She was the last surviving of her siblings Mary Daley, Jack Williams, Nancy Looby, Patricia Kelly, James Williams, and Paul Williams. As the youngest of seven children, she grew up in a bustling household, fostering a strong sense of family, togetherness and independence from an early age. After graduating the Little Flower High School in 1949, Kay found employment at Sears Roebuck, where she would meet the love of her life, Joseph Baratta Jr., or as she called him, Joe. They soon exchanged vows on February 14, 1953, embarking on a journey of love and companionship that spanned over sixty years, until Joe’s passing in 2014.

Following their marriage, Kay embraced her role as a homemaker and dedicated herself to raising their three sometimes wild, and always unrelenting, sons. Her tireless efforts and no nonsense personality provided the foundation for a family that would thrive under her guidance. Kay’s enduring love and unwavering support served as a beacon of strength and role model for her children, Joseph I. Baratta III, his wife Dorothy, Mark A. Baratta, his wife Carolyn, and Andrew V. Baratta and his wife Heidi, who all survive her. With her proud support, each of her sons went on to form successful families of their own.

Kay’s greatest joy came from her role as a grandmother, and later, a great-grandmother. She reveled in the time spent with her eight grandchildren, Melissa Howell, Matthew Baratta, Christopher Baratta, Christine Kiser, Catherine Easter, Mike Baratta, Greg Baratta, and Alexander Baratta, who remember her dearly. She truly embraced her role as grandmother, and even relocated herself and Joe to Miami and then Ocala, Florida to provide support for her growing family. Each grandchild held a special place in Kay’s heart, and she relished in their many (and varied) accomplishments,
offering unwavering love and support. She was known for always remembering important life events and regularly sending old fashioned greeting cards by mail. Thanks to her long life, Kay had the pleasure of witnessing her family grow with the arrival of six beloved great-grandchildren. A seventh great-grandchild was born shortly after her passing, and the family continues to grow, with Kay’s memory as an inspiration to the future generations.

Beyond her family, Kay fostered deep connections within her religious community. She was a devout Roman Catholic, and attended Church weekly. She was honored as a Sacristan of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Ocala, Florida, where she immediately resided before moving to New Jersey. Her deep sense of spiritual belief
and civic duty animated her longtime dedication to conservative politics. As a proud American, she always stood up for her country and was deeply grateful for the freedoms that allowed her family to thrive. In her later years, Kay took up ceramics, and produced numerous fine items she generously bestowed on her family members.

Kay’s unwavering devotion knew no bounds, and her humility and salt-of-the-earth personality left an indelible mark on all those whose lives she touched. Kay’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of her loved ones and all those who had the privilege of knowing her. But her legacy of love, strength, and unwavering devotion will continue to inspire and guide those who knew her.

A funeral service will be held at the Mastapeter Memorial Home at 270 Atlantic City Boulevard in Bayville, New Jersey, on June 23, 2023 at 9 o’clock in the morning. An honorary mass will follow at the St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church in Bayville. Kay will then be laid to rest at a private burial at the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veteran’s Cemetery, where she will join her husband Joe in eternal slumber. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, which she and Joe had a long history of supporting.

Kay’s light will forever shine brightly in the hearts of her family, friends, and community. Her memory will be cherished, and her love will be carried forward through the generations she so adored.

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