Cathleen Rolston Litvack, known to many as Cate, passed away on February 9, 2025, at the age of 81.
A leader and a problem-solver, she worked tirelessly to improve Princeton, New Jersey, and beyond.
She left a lasting impact on local government, state politics, land conservation, and historical preservation.
She was also a businesswoman, a dedicated family member, and someone with many interests.
Cate was born on July 18, 1943, in Austin, Texas.
Her father, William Rolston, was an Air Force navigator, which meant a childhood of constant movement—11 schools, three countries, and plenty of adaptability before she landed at Wellesley College.
Political science became her focus, and understanding how governments and communities functioned remained a lifelong interest.
While at Wellesley, she met James Litvack. They married two days after she graduated in 1964 and soon moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Jim studied at MIT.
By 1966, they had settled in Princeton when he became a professor at Princeton University.
That’s where Cate’s journey in public service truly began.
She quickly became involved in local government, serving on the Princeton Planning Board, the Recreation Board, and the Library Board.
Eventually, she ran for office, winning two terms on the Princeton Township Committee and serving as mayor in 1988 and 1990.
She later became the first woman to serve as Executive Director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, working behind the scenes on campaigns for Rush Holt, Barbara Sigmund, Bill Bradley, and General Wesley Clark.
Among her many contributions, two meant the most to her.
She helped secure the protection of the Institute Woods, ensuring that the land remained undeveloped and preserved.
She also played a key role in establishing the Princeton-Pettoranello Sister City Foundation, strengthening Princeton’s bond with Pettoranello, Italy.
Italian culture became a passion—she studied the language in her spare time, played Italian language tapes in her car for her grandchildren, and was eventually honored by the Italian government as a Cavaliere, a Knight of the Italian Republic.
Cate’s dedication to conservation extended beyond Princeton.
She served on the board of the D&R Greenway and later became its chair, helping expand efforts to protect open spaces across New Jersey.
As the first Executive Director of the Crossroads of the American Revolution, she led the successful effort to have it designated a National Heritage Area.
She was also deeply involved with the Old Barracks Museum, the Advocates for New Jersey History, and the Trenton Arts Fund.
Her curiosity extended to nearly everything.
She had an incredible memory for facts and trivia, which served her well when she competed on Jeopardy!—and won.
She thrived in business, taking on roles as Vice President at J&M Advertising, sales agent for Kea Wines, and Vice President of Marketing for govWorks.com during the early tech boom.
Whatever she worked on, she was fully committed.
Her home on Laurel Road in Princeton was known for its gardens, a place where friends and family gathered for special occasions.
She loved to travel, explore art, theater, and architecture, and share those experiences with her daughter, Dana, and later, her grandchildren.
She also loved golf. She and Jim were longtime members of Springdale Golf Club, where she played at a high level, winning multiple tournaments, including the women’s club championship.
She served on the Board of Governors and led the Golf Committee. Even as she battled ovarian cancer, she kept playing, never losing her drive or sense of humor.
Cate passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones.
She is survived by Jim, her husband of 61 years; her daughter, Dana Molina, and son-in-law, Alberto Molina; her grandchildren, Catalina and Milo; her sister, Virginia Parrott Scott; and her brother, Benjamin Rolston.
She also leaves behind a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will take place in April at Springdale Golf Club.
Instead of flowers, her family asks for donations to causes she deeply cared about: the D&R Greenway, the Old Barracks Museum, and the Trenton Arts Fund.
Her impact lives on in the green spaces she helped protect, the policies she shaped, and the people who had the privilege of knowing her.
