Catherine J. Sharp

Bridgewater Catherine J. Sharp 94, died July 3, 2012 Catherine J. Sharp passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at the New Jersey Eastern Star Home for the Aged in Bridgewater, NJ. The beloved daughter of the late Thomas and Janet Sharp, she was born on March 16, 1918 in Glasgow, Scotland. In addition to her long-time career as an employee of Singer Corporation, Cathie was a dedicated volunteer at the New Jersey Eastern Star Home for the Aged for 30 years. A self-taught musician, Cathie assisted at church services at the Home by providing music as resident organist. Whenever the Home needed music for church, a special activity or to entertain the residents, Cathie gladly shared her musical talents. She loved the residents of the Home. Over the years, Cathie branched out independently to conduct a wide range of other volunteer services that included leading weekly resident sing-a-longs and bingo games, overseeing the preparation of holiday decorations at the Home, visiting residents to deliver and read mail, preparing the activities calendars, making birthday signs for residents' doors, serving as weekend greeter, and assisting the activity staff with the transportation of residents on bus and field trips. Her volunteerism to the Home soon grew to a commitment that spanned five days a week and six hours a day. In 2005, Cathie made a "gift from the heart" by contributing funds needed to purchase a new, state-of-the-art, handicapped-accessible mini-bus to facilitate the transportation of residents. In recognition of her extraordinary service as a volunteer, Cathie was honored as the 1990 Outstanding Volunteer by the New Jersey Eastern Star Home of New Jersey "in recognition of unselfish service and loving dedication to residents." Somerset County United Way in 2005 awarded her Honorable Mention for the Christian T. Nielsen Unsung Hero Award. In 2008, Cathie received the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the New Jersey Eastern Star Home. She was a 61 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey. Cathie was initiated on June 15, 1950 into Emmaus Chapter #83. She affiliated with Century Chapter #100 on June 7, 1984, which merged with Ruth Chapter #12 in December, 2010. Cathie was the longest resident of Finderne Gardens Apartments where she lived for over 60 years. Services will be 12 noon Thursday at Hollywood Memorial Park, Union preceded by Eastern Star services and visitation 10:30am at the Bruce C. VanArsdale Funeral Home, Somerville. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New Jersey Eastern Star Home for the Aged, 111 Finderne Avenue, Bridgewater, NJ 08807-3100, where a celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date.