Catherine Elenor Palumbo (nee Babine) passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 11, 2026, in the company of family and friends.
Ultimately a resident of Milford, Pennsylvania, Catherine grew up first in coastal Maine, where she was born on June 7, 1948, and then in Saratoga, New York. She loved the vibrant resort atmospheres of both places, developing an early love of music, hospitality, and dance. The lure of city life drew her to the New York metropolitan area, where she met and in 1973 married the love of her life, Arthur Palumbo. The couple moved first to Clifton and then Bloomfield, New Jersey, where they raised their children and where Catherine and Arthur lived until 2026.
Catherine combined spiritual optimist with convivial generosity, a lively sense of humor, and loving devotion to family and friends. She read widely in both new-age and traditional texts, firm in father yet open to other points of view. Her repartee was almost as legendary as her eggplant Parmesan and the French toast she made for her grandson.
Working in restaurants extended her culinary expertise and ability to spread happiness to others. A devoted wife and mother, she baked everyone’s favorite birthday cake, hung balloons, made favorite foods, and presented delightful gifts for each person’s special day. Most of the family could barely carry a tune, but you’d never know it from the enthusiasm of the singing.
Music always thrilled Catherine, who hummed around the house and kept up with trends while maintaining special affection for Neil Diamond, The Rolling Stones, and Celine Dion. She enjoyed occasional trips to Atlantic City with friends and relatives, where she could line dance all night with the best of them. Everyone came home happy.
Catherine survived her parents, Joseph and Mary Babine, as well as all three of her siblings: brother Joseph and sisters Trena and Elenor. She is survived by her dear husband Arthur, stepdaughter Linda Palumbo-Gaik, and daughters Trena Palumbo and Rita Drevitson as well as the grandson she adored, Arti Palumbo, age thirteen, and sons in law Frank Gaik and Kyle Drevitson. She also will be mourned by many friends, extended family, and acquaintances. With her passing a great and unique soul has departed this life but lives on in our hearts.
Arrangements by O’Boyle Funeral home, Bloomfield. www.oboylefuneralhome.com
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