Kathleen E Jamhoury

Born in Somerville, NJ, on June 10, 1950, to parents Anne and Harold Emmons, Rev. Kathy was an interim minister for more than two decades. She brought faithful leadership, stability, and devoted service to Presbyterian churches throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania in their transitional times.

Affectionately called “Reverend Glitters,” Rev. Kathy was known for the joyful, playful spirit she brought to her services, pastoral care, and head of staff duties. Her first ordained call was as designated pastor at Andover Presbyterian Church (Andover, NJ). She then served multiple churches including Mount Freedom Presbyterian Church (Mt. Freedom, NJ), First Presbyterian Church of Stillwater (Stillwater, NJ), First Presbyterian Church of Allentown (Allentown, PA), Providence United Presbyterian Church (Scranton, PA), Covenant Presbyterian Church (Scranton, PA), Trinity Presbyterian Church (Dallas, PA), and First Presbyterian Church of Tuckerton (Tuckerton, NJ). Rev. Kathy honorably retired from First Presbyterian Church of Sayreville (Sayreville, NJ) in June 2019. In her retirement, she was acting moderator of session and regular pulpit supply at Wright Memorial Presbyterian Church (Barnegat, NJ). She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economic Education from Rutgers University in 1975 and a Master of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1995.

In her congregations and her personal life, Rev. Kathy deeply believed in the power of service and community. In the 1980s and 90s she founded and led the Girl Scout Troop in Frenchtown, NJ. She led numerous bible study groups and church mission trips, including a mission to Kingston, Jamaica, to rebuild a local school. In recent years she was a volunteer with Interfaith Health & Support Services of Southern Ocean County, and led “Monday Morning Meditation” at Cornerstone at Stafford and online.

Rev. Kathy is remembered by her friends and family for her compassion, beautifully warm heart, and open mind. She was a deeply empathetic listener, and showed loving kindness to all she encountered. She loved holidays and any opportunity to host a full house with her festive spirit, cooking skills, and baking prowess. She was a movie buff, a deep lover of music and dancing, and a gardener. She enjoyed sewing, bird watching, camping with her children, and walking on the beach.

Rev. Kathy’s children were her pride and joy; she is survived by four: Koula Ann Scelfo, Jessica George Jamhoury, Lisa Marie Jamhoury, and William Harold Jamhoury. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren Violet, Émile, and Elodie, her son-in-law Pierre Drescher, her godchildren Allison Phillips-Krutsick and Brian Jenkins, her aunt Clara “Tiny” Martine, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Grace Jenkins.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ, on Friday, Jan. 5 2024 at 5-7PM. A Memorial Service will be held on Jan. 6, 2024 at 11am at First Presbyterian Church of Sayreville, 172 Main St. Sayreville, NJ.

Memorial gifts may be made to the National Parks Foundation, Deborah Heart & Lung Center, and the Presbyterian Church Foundation. (See Links Below)

To leave online condolences and fond memories of Rev. Kathy for the Jamhoury family, please visit

shinnfuneralhome.com