Catherine A. Neylon

Catherine A. Neylon of Sagaponack, faithful wife of Daniel Neylon and loving mother of Kevin Neylon passed away peacefully November 20, 2020 at the age of 72. Catherine was born on July 26th, 1948 at Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Staten Island, New York to Leonard M. and Mary Margaret (Malone) Pino of Sag Harbor, New York.

Catherine’s early elementary and secondary schooling was provided by the nuns at the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Sag Harbor. After high school, Catherine received her nursing degree from Maryview School of Nursing in Portsmouth, Virginia. Before leaving nursing school, Catherine enlisted in the Army Nurse Corp at the height of the Vietnam War. Although Catherine requested Vietnam she was sent to Seoul, South Korea. As a 1st Lieutenant, Catherine was assigned to a Coronary Care unit and assisted many open-heart surgeries for soldiers who were medevacked from Vietnam.

In addition to being a coronary 
care nurse, Catherine had experience as an intensive care and recovery room nurse when she later lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Upon returning to New York, newly married she worked at the Buffalo Psychiatric Center for several years. While living in Buffalo, Catherine volunteered at Camp Good Days and Special Times that supported children battling cancer. Catherine was always a champion of people that others overlooked. Her gracious spirit and infectious sense of joy aided many to heal. Her distinctive laugh, eye crinkling smile, and ability to making those around her feel special were the tools she used to facilitate this healing.

Returning to Sagaponack opened a new chapter for Catherine. She became a mother. Nothing gave her deeper sense of purpose or love than spending time with, listening to, and caring for Kevin. Catherine continued to answer her vocation as a healer working as a private duty nurse specializing in hospice care. She brought peace to countless individuals and families.

In addition to her husband Dan of 35 years and her son, Kevin, Catherine was dearly loved by her sister Therese Smith (Newburgh, NY), brother John Pino (Sag Harbor, NY) sister Mary (Sag Harbor, NY) and brother, Joseph (Steubenville, Ohio). Many nephews, nieces, grand nephews, and grandnieces who called Catherine, Aunt Monzie, dearly loved and cherished her. They knew Aunt Monzie was always ready to celebrate life with them. Her generous spirit and compassionate nature brought tremendous joy to all of them.

A most fitting reflection of Catherine’s time on earth can be seen in the following words of Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Those blessed to have known and be known by Catherine cannot forget how full of life she made us feel, how joyful it was to be in her presence, how magical she could make an average day, and how she cared for us.

A Life Celebration is being planned for later this year.