Kathleen Emery peacefully passed away in her home surrounded by loved ones on October 24th, 2024. 

Kathleen was born in Newark, New Jersey and after spending the beginning years of her life in Union, moved back to Newark and was raised alongside all of her beloved cousins. In 1988 she married the love of her life Peter and in 1989, settled in South Plainfield, New Jersey where she raised her two children and remained for the rest of her life. 

Kathleen had a quick sense of humor, a contagious laugh, a loving heart, and a passion for supporting children with special needs. She had the ability to make anyone feel welcome and was a second mother to many people in her life. Her joys in life were her job at Edison High School as a teacher aide, gardening, cleaning, enjoying music, watching Grace and Frankie, and spending time with her two kids, Matthew and Catherine. Kathleen and her children had a very special bond, and the three of them have navigated life’s challenges while keeping each other close. Their bond is one that her children will be thankful for, for the rest of their lives. 

Kathleen is preceded in death by her parents Luke and Catherine McGrath, her dear brother Luke McGrath, and her beloved husband Peter Emery. She leaves behind her  children, Catherine Ciampi (Emery) and husband Joseph Ciampi of Piscataway, Matthew Emery and partner Daniel Egan of Montclair, many beloved friends, and her many cousins who will all miss her dearly. 

Family and friends may gather on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 7-9PM in the McCriskin – Gustafson Home For Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield NJ 07080.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 11AM, gathering will begin at 10:30AM.

Burial will follow in Hazelwood Cemetery, Colonia.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Association for Frontotemporal Dementia (AFTD) at link or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) at link. 

Kathleen was an incredible woman and will be missed endlessly.