Catherine Ann Capicchioni

Catherine (Cathy) Capicchioni, born August 14, 1945, died peacefully in her sleep on Oct 31, 2022. Cathy was born to Walter and Catherine McLaughlin in North Bergen, NJ. Known as Sissy to her siblings, she was one of seven children: Michael, Walter Jr. (Wally), Catherine (Sissy), MaryLou, Dennis, Barbara and Robert. She is predeceased by Michael McLaughlin, Walter (Wally) McLaughlin, Dennis McLaughlin and Barbara McLaughlin; survived by MaryLou Heinlein and Robert McLaughlin. Cathy was a beloved wife of 61 years, mother to 4 and grandmother to 12. In 1961, she married Julian Capicchioni. Just teenagers, they started their life and quickly were parents to twin boys, Anthony and Daniel. As a young mother, Cathy rose to the challenges of raising twins while living with her Italian immigrant in-laws and taught herself to speak Italian. After the birth of her third son, John, and her husband’s return from the Army, Cathy and her husband moved out on their own. They spent some time living in Weehawken and Jersey City. During that time, Cathy gave birth to a fourth child, Annmarie (Stavash). In 1972, Cathy along with her husband and young family, moved to Palisades Park, where they resided for the next 50 years.. In Palisades Park, Cathy was an active member of the community and shared a love for baseball with her husband. She actively volunteered her time to the Palisades Park Little League. To generations of kids, she affectionately became known as Mrs. Cap and/or Mrs. C. In the early 1990s, she was challenged by some members of the Little League that she couldn’t be an “official member” of the League because she was a woman. Catherine quickly went to work and contacted Williamsport Little League Headquarters regarding the overt discrimination and forced the issue in the Palisades Park district. She thus became the first “official” female league member in Palisades Park. She later went on to serve as Little League president from 1994-1997. At that time, some members dubbed her “Madame President”. The same gusto that drove her to be a pioneer in the Little League community was the same character in which she lived her life. She was quick to accept a challenge and quick to prove you wrong, especially if you said she couldn’t do it. She thrived as a mother and grandmother. For her children, she was the quintessential fan that always showed up for the sports, school events, or anything else the kids needed. Her enthusiasm blossomed further as a grandmother. There was no person that loved being a grandmother more than Catherine. She was lovingly called Nonni and her grandchildren adored her. Cathy had an innate youthfulness that drew both child and adult alike to love her. It was a quality she kept until the end, despite her illness. Catherine is survived by her husband, Julian, her children Anthony, Daniel, John and Annmarie (Stavash); and her 12 grandchildren, Charles-Julian, Emili, Alexander, Cameron, Brenan, Isabela, Amanda, Ryan, Andrew, Adam, Jared and Lia. Funeral Service Thursday, November 10th at 9am, from the Volk Leber Funeral Home 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ., then to St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Palisades Park, for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM. Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday evening 4-8PM. The family cordially invites everyone to the repast at Vitale's Restaurant in Teaneck following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in memory of Catherine Ann Capicchioni.

Catherine Ann Capicchioni

August 14, 1945 - October 31, 2022