Catherine P Morong

Catherine (Pat) Patricia Morong (Ayres) 

Pat, a longtime Morris Township resident passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on November 19. 2022.  She was born December 13. 1932 at All Souls Hospital in Morristown, NJ to Robert & Agnes Ayres.   

Pat was a devout Catholic parishioner at Church of The Assumption. She attended the Baily School where she was a cheerleader and graduated in 1953.

Thru her brother-in-law, she met the love of her life, Donald A Morong Sr. and they married June 26, 1954 at Church of The Assumption.  Together they settled in & raised their family in Morristown & then Morris Township.  After raising her
children, she went on to work for the Morris School District as a cafeteria employee serving lunch to many happy hungry children.

She was the one keeping the home fires burning while her husband Don was a Volunteer Firefighter for Hillside Hose Co., Morris Township Fire Department along with her son Don Jr, daughter Jane, son-in-law Bill McSweeney and Greg Simms. Her daughter was the first female Volunteer Firefighter in the Morris Township Fire Department and is currently a Fire Chief in Glorieta, NM and Bill is Captain.  Her daughter Patricia and son-in-law Greg are members of the Morris Township Office of Emergency Management Rescue. Family tradition continued as now her grandson Steven is a member of the paid division of Morris Township Fire Department and all three of the McSweeney Grandchildren are past members of Glorieta Pass Fire & Rescue.  

Her grandchildren called her Miss America for her love of the good old USA. Don was a veteran and member of the 112th National Guard Field Artillery at Morristown Armory. In 1997, Pat was bestowed the Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher Award which recognizes spouses who contribute to the US field Artillery. Everyone in the neighborhood knew Pat as she always decorated her home for all the holidays and any special events. She would even dress for every holiday with festive earrings, shirts, socks and even the shoes. Halloween was a favorite for Pat & Don; together they made all the costumes for the family. Thanksgiving was her holiday to host; cooking would start the night before and go all day with all the favorites of creamed onions, sweet potatoes & marshmallow, bean casserole, gravy, and cranberry mold. Then after all the family would come for dessert and turkey sandwiches later in the evening.  

Pat was a member of the Morris Township Seniors Club and loved going on the trips with them.  On one such trip to NY City, a female member had a heart attack, Pat recognized signs and quickly called 911 saving the woman’s life.

Family was everything to Pat and she had family from sea to shining sea. She was an incredible woman that lived a wonderful life touching so many people.  She will leave an empty space in our hearts but will now be our guardian angel. She will live on through us and her spirit will help give us the strength to impact people the same way she did.

She is survived by her Son Donald A. Morong Jr. & wife Cory of Plant City Florida, Daughter Patricia Simms & husband Greg of Morris Township NJ, Daughter Jane McSweeney & husband Bill of Glorieta, NM;  
5 precious grandchildren- Gregory John Simms Jr., Steven Michael Simms & wife Alison Brophy, Marine Veteran Sgt. William John McSweeney Jr. & wife Emily, Catherine Marie McSweeney, Kimberly Ann Rambow & husband Ted;
Three precious Great Grandchildren- Elizabeth Rambow, Astrid McSweeney and Baby Boy Simms to arrive in December on her birthday.
Sister Margaret Boehs & husband John, Brother-in-law Charles Arteglier, Brother-in-law Frank Einloth, and Sister-in-law Joan Ayres, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, school mates and life-long friends.  

Pat was preceded in death by her parents Robert & Agnes Ayres, beloved husband of over 50 years, Donald Morong Sr., Her brother Robert Ayres Jr, Sisters Doris Arteglier, Agnes (Honey) Nelson, and Joan Einloth, sister-in-law (best buddie) June Enyingi.  Now she is re-united with them.

Hours of visitation will be on Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 1-6 PM at Doyle Funeral Home, 106 Maple Ave. Morristown, NJ. A Christian Mass will be celebrated on Monday, November 28 at 10:00 AM at Church of the Assumption, Morristown, NJ with a mausoleum entombment following at Holy Rood Cemetery.
In addition, a Celebration of Pat’s Life for her family members and many friends will be in Santa Fe, NM in January -Date TBA.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hillside Hose Co #1, 132 Western Avenue, Morristown, NJ 07960 or Glorieta Pass Fire & Rescue, PO Box 206, Glorieta, NM 87535  

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