Seifried, Catherine “Katie” (McGrath), 89, of Mays Landing, went home to be with the Lord on January 22, 2015.

Catherine was born in Pleasantville to Thomas and Nina McGrath in 1926. She attended Pleasantville High School and graduated in 1945. After graduation she went to work as a switchboard operator for the Bell Telephone. It was during those years she met the love of her life “Georgie” and was married in 1951. During her early years of marriage she had three high energy and spirited daughters that kept her extremely busy.

She eventually went on to work for the Atlantic City Race Course when her father, the first Atlantic City Race Course Superintendent Thomas retired and ultimately passed the baton to her. In due course she earned the title of “Chief of Communications.” She continued to work until retirement at 75 years old, but could be seen around the track every year during “racing season.” Catherine had many fond memories of the historic race track, among them having seen Princess Grace Kelly, a frequent spectator and daughter of John B. Kelly, the first president of the Atlantic City Racing Association. Several horse races over the years were named after or dedicated to her.
Katie loved growing up at the Jersey Shore. She adored the sand between her toes and the sun upon her face. As a young girl she frequented the Steel Pier and Million Dollar Pier eating Taylor Pork Roll and chewing on Fralinger’s Taffy. She also could be seen at area road races, finishing her last 5K at 80 years old, on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.

Catherine was known around the local bowling alleys for her expertise at bowling as well as belonging to the “200” Club. She was a member to several leagues until she was 87 years old. She loved spending days on end sipping tea with her best friend “Dorothy” as well as her sneak trips to the casinos with her sister “Gigi” or playing the horses with her brother "Duke." She thoroughly enjoyed going out to dinner especially Friday nights at “Caesars in Mays Landing where she and Georgie would dance the night away.

Finally she loved her family, she was babysitter "Mom-Mom" for all the grandchildren, whom all adored her. She loved to laugh and cherished family gatherings where she always sported a new pocketbook. She would spend endless hours playing Pinochle and Phase 10 with family and friends. She was an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, always making family come first. She was a carefree spirit and loved by all that knew her. She will be sorely missed.

Catherine is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Nina; sister Ellen; brother Thomas and husband George. She is survived by three daughters, Carol (Ray) Copsey, Mary (Lary) Adkisson, and Cindy (Dr. Greg) Smallwood. Granddaughters Kerri (Bill) Lillia, Ginger (Mike) Mazur, and grandsons Gregory (Kassidy) Smallwood, Dr. Michael (Meghan) Smallwood, Eric (Dawn) Adkisson. Great-grandchildren: Katie, Matthew, Bailey, Saniya, Anna, Aidan, Gabe, and little baby Greg III. Also survived by sister Virginia Brannigan, brother Robert McGrath; sister in-law Barbara Stester and brother in-law Walter Seifried and most of all her lifetime “best friend” Dorothy (Pea) Davisson.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the AtlantiCare Medical Center for their support during her final hours of life. Special thanks to Brenda and Michelle on the third floor.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 am, on Thursday, January 29, 2015, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 591 New Jersey Ave, in Absecon. A visitation will be from 9 am until the time of the mass. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements entrusted to and condolences for the family may be left at Adams-Perfect.com