Catherine Chigas

Catherine Chigas, 80, of Helmetta, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 21st, with her children by her side.  

Born in New Brunswick, she was raised in Edison. She married Leonard Chigas in 1964, and raised her family in Jackson for 27 years. She worked as a teacher's assistant with special needs/autistic children. She enjoyed her work and loved telling stories of the children she helped through her profession. She volunteered as a coach with Jackson Girl's Softball for many years, before eventually becoming league director. In 1999, she and her husband moved to Lawrenceville, GA, where she continued her work  with special needs students. She was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and enjoyed watching tennis. She was active in her church, as well as a number of civic organizations. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her grandchildren and extended family.  

Predeceased by her parents, Louis and Evelyn Melia, her husband, Leonard Chigas in 2024, and her brothers, Louis and Thomas Melia, she is survived by her son, Kevin Chigas (his wife Rita), her daughter, Laurie Chigas, her brother, John Melia and her grandchildren, Kyle and Kaitlyn Chigas.

Funeral Services will begin at 9:30am on Friday, June 27th from Spotswood Funeral Home, 475 Main Street, Spotswood, followed by a 10:30am Mass of Christian Burial at Immaculate Conception Church, Spotswood. Interment will then be in Holy Cross Burial Park, Jamesburg. The family will receive family and friends on Thursday, June 26th, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm at Spotswood Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations honoring Catherine's memory may be made to Autism Speaks.