Catherine "Cathy" Ellison was born in Richmond, Kentucky to Ellen and Hubert Ellison. She graduated from the University of Cincinnati, where she became a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Cathy married Charles Moore in 1954. She received her Master’s Degree from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Cathy began working for Great Neck Public Schools in 1968. She served as Vice Principal of John F. Kennedy Elementary School from 1974 to 1977. She later served as Principal from 1984 to 1996.

Cathy was deeply passionate about education. She kept in touch with many of her former students. She served on the Board of the Great Neck Public Library. She volunteered as the Team Leader Coordinator of the International Federation of University Women Representatives at the United Nations.

Cathy was an avid reader, trailblazer, and humanitarian. She traveled to Vancouver, Paris, Copenhagen, and Africa. Cathy was a dedicated member of the All Saints Episcopal Church. She was a fan of “Downton Abbey." Cathy loved theater and watched the original Broadway cast of "Hamilton." She especially loved her students, friends, and family. She is survived by her son, Carlton.
 
Cathy inspired countless students and brightened many lives.

She will be dearly missed.

"When the untapped potential of a student meets the liberating art of a teacher, a miracle unfolds." - Mary Hatwood Furtell

"Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her." - Michelle Obama

"I tell my students, 'When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else." - Toni Morrison