Obituary of Catherine T. Brence

Catherine Theresa Brence, 87, of Lawrenceville passed away peacefully with her family present on September 19, 2013. She was the beloved wife of Louis V. Brence her husband of 58 years. She was the first violinist in the Trenton Orchestra in the early 1950’s. After attending Notre Dame High School in Moylen, PA, she graduated from Immaculata College where she majored in English and minored in music. Catherine then taught at Notre Dame for several years. Catherine was born and raised in Ridley Park, PA by Irish immigrants John Joseph Kelly and Mary Theresa McLaughlin Kelly. She was one of four children that included John Jr. who died at 18 months, and sisters Anne Harrington and Mary Kelly. All were members of St. Madeline Church. Catherine lived in Middletown, OH, South Windsor, CT and Philadelphia, PA. She enjoyed classical music, dancing and her family. Catherine was a beloved mother and is survived by her husband Louis V. Brence, her children Lili White (Marc Silverman), John (Julie Karns), Anne (Greg Leisure) and Christopher (Laura-Marie); seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00AM on Monday, September 23, 2013 at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel, 1 Bishops Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648. A viewing will be held from 10:00AM until the time of the Mass at the chapel on Monday. Interment will be held at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Catherine’s memory to Morris Hall 1 Bishops Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater New Jersey, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834