March 9, 1953 – January 29, 2026
Cathy A. Donovan, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully after a brief illness on January 29, 2026.
Cathy was born on March 9, 1953, in New Brunswick, NJ, to Michael and Esther (Mathiason) Stoffa and was raised in New Jersey, where she built a life centered on family, love, and food. She spent several memorable years living in San Miguel, Mexico, before returning to New Jersey and settling in Blairstown in 1988. Since 2020, she made her home in Hackettstown.
Cathy’s life was devoted to caring for others. She expressed her love most fully through cooking, a gift she shared generously with everyone around her. She worked in food service at Camp Mason in Hardwick, NJ, but her true kitchen was wherever her family and friends gathered. Known affectionately as “Momma D,” Cathy had an open door and an open heart—especially for her children’s friends, who were always welcome at her table and never left hungry.
She loved to travel, particularly to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and back to San Miguel, Mexico, places that brought her joy and inspiration. Some of her most cherished moments were spent cooking alongside her children and grandchildren, patiently teaching them treasured family recipes and passing down traditions made with love.
Cathy is survived by her loving children, Thomas Donovan and his wife Liz, and Kelly Donovan; her cherished grandchildren, Gabriel, Cullen, Grace, and Ayden; and her brothers, Michael and John Stoffa as well as her parents Michael and Esther Stoffa. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph Donovan, and her siblings, Susan and Drew Stoffa.
Relatives and friends are invited to visit on Saturday, February 7th, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Newbaker Funeral Home, 200 Route 94, Blairstown, NJ (GPS may list Columbia). A Words of Remembrance service will follow at 5:00 PM.
Cathy will be remembered for her generous spirit, her unforgettable cooking, and the way she made everyone feel like family.