Catherine Carol Traurig
Catherine Carol Traurig, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Wilmington, DE, Carol was the daughter of the late Eugene and Marie (Dorsey) Toy. She was a graduate of Wilmington High School and worked as a telephone operator with Bell Telephone before marrying in 1959.
Carol was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who cherished her family and spent her life caring for those she loved, especially her daughter, Susan. For more than 30 years, she also operated a home day care. Long before professional day care was commonplace, Carol was taking children on field trips on the city bus and enjoying walks to the park that were often followed up with lunches of grilled cheese sandwiches and strawberry milk.
A devout Catholic, Carol was a lifelong parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church. She loved vacationing in Wildwood, NJ, and taking trips to Atlantic City. Carol was known for her generosity, her unwavering commitment to proper etiquette and her belief that good manners mattered. Emily Post was a frequent reference.
In addition to her parents, Carol was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph A. Traurig; daughters, Lisa Edwards and Susan Traurig; grandson, Owen Pierce; granddaughter, Stephanie Edwards; and son-in-law, Stephen LeJeune.
She is survived by her daughters, Anna Marie Hobbs (Jim), Cathy LeJeune, Linda Musser (Ken), and Joanna Pynn (Michael); siblings, Nancy Archer (Don) and Eugene Toy; and grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Joseph (Cortney), Ethan, Marley, Evelyn and Luca Hobbs; Tara (Jay), Jax and Zoe Haugen; Daniel Hobbs (Travis Lucas); Nicole (Nathan) and Emmett LeJeune; Stephen (Rebecca), Jonathan and Mary LeJeune; Sean Musser; Lauren and Sophie Pierce; Natalie Biggs (Jonathan); Benjamin Edwards; Max and Vincent Pynn; and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery, 6001 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Carol’s memory to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD), 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406, or online at the AFTD website.
Arlene Eckell
My son was one of the lucky ones who had Carol watch him when he was just a toddler. He loved going to her house and the special attention he always got. Years later when I would meet her on the street, waiting for a bus, or sometimes in the Acme she would say to me , “how is Lee?”
Carol was one of the most caring people, as with her husband Joe. May she rest in peace. Now they are united forever.
Lori Dunahoo
Aunt Carol was so kind , always interested in what was going on in your life .I have fond memories going to see her as a child .She was devoted to her family and friends .She will be missed ❤️see you heaven Aunt Carol!
Marquita Matthews
My deepest condolences to Linda and family. May your mother RIP.
MSG Matthews
DEARNG
Mary Lou
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Through my friendship with Cathy, your mom and my mom became good friends, and I became friends with the whole family.
I’m keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
~Mary Lou
Robert Wallace, II
Carol was a wonderful neighbor-caring and loving, and always ready to lend a neighborly hand. She will be missed! May she now rest in blessed repose and rise in glory to sing praise to God with all the Heavenly host. May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding pervade the lives of family and friends now and forevermore.
Bill & Marcia Reese
We are very sorry to hear of Carol’s passing. We lived down the street from her for many years, and our daughter was one of the many children Carol cared for in her home. It was always a safe and happy environment, and our daughter enjoyed her time with Carol and her family. Our sincere condolences to all of her loved ones.
Bill and Marcia Reese