Catherine R. Elder, 61, of Holland Township, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 8, 2024 at the Ringing Rocks State Park in Bridgeton Township, PA.

Born July 14, 1963 in Phillipsburg, NJ, Catherine grew up in Lebanon Township, NJ.  She moved to Holland Township, NJ 22 years ago.  She received her Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology from Keene State College, which is part of the University of New Hampshire, in 1986.  Catherine worked as a project manager for Franklin Mutual Insurance in Branchville, NJ for the past 5 years.  Prior to that, she worked for Chubb Insurance in Whitehouse, NJ for 18 years.  Catherine was an avid dog lover, showing Lagotti Romangnoli and Flat Coated Retrievers.  She was a sports fan, and especially loved the Green Bay Packers.  Catherine was an artist that loved photography and woodworking.  She was well known for having a huge heart and being a Jimmy Buffet fan.  Catherine was active in the community by being a 20 year member of the Holland Township OEM (CERT) and by being a Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator.  She will be dearly missed by all those who knew her.    

Catherine is survived by her wife of 10 years, who has been her companion for almost 32 years, Lisa M. DiStefano, her mother Joan Louise (Cruts) Elder of Lebanon Township, NJ, her brother Jim Elder and his wife Alyson, and her nieces, nephews, and friends. She was predeceased by her father Edward James Elder.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Saturday, September 14, 2024 from 10 AM to 12 PM at the Johnson-Walton Funeral Home, 24 Church Road, Holland Township, NJ. Words of remembrance will begin at 11:30 AM. Catherine’s interment will be held privately at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lagotto Ramagnolo Foundation Inc at lagottofoundation.org or the Flat Coated Retriever Society of America at fcrsa.org (please copy links and paste in web browser).