Obituary of Catherine McDermott

Catherine E. McDermott Obituary

A leader in health philanthropy and the grantmaking world, Catherine McDermott understood the world of patronage and altruism. She had an innate ability to seize opportunities while connecting the public and private sectors to bring much needed change in the delivery of healthcare in the United States. Her communication skills, strategic thinking and planning were her professional strengths. Catherine served in the charitable trust community for over twenty-eight years as an officer with The Carnegie Corporation of New York and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She led Grantmakers in Health (GIH), the nation’s only organization exclusively serving health philanthropy for over fifteen years and went on to lead the National Committee for Quality Health Care for seven years until she retired in 2004. Catherine advocated for women’s rights and she nurtured and mentored young women with kindness and compassion until her passing.

Catherine  passed away September 15, 2019. Born in the Bronx on December 13, 1939 to Catherine (nee: Fox) and Thomas Delmour McDermott.  She grew up on City Island in The Bronx.  She was pre deceased by her loving brother Del and her dear sister Sarah. survived by many first and second cousins. Her wake will be on Sunday September 22nd from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM, prayer service in the funeral home at 7:30 PM at the John J. Fox Funeral Home, Inc. 2080 Boston Post Road Larchmont, NY 10538. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday September 23^rd 10:00 AM at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Church on City Island. Interment will follow at St. Raymond's Cemetery in The Bronx.