Cathy Pelaez, a longtime veteran of Liberty Travel, who started as a receptionist and rose through the ranks to became its president, died Feb. 15. She was 59.
Pelaez had suffered from cancer, according to Cape May, N.J.-based Spilker Funeral Home.
Pelaez started at New Jersey-based Liberty 30 years ago as a receptionist and rose through various management positions; she was promoted from COO to president of Liberty Travel and LibGo Travel in March 2008.
Liberty's parent company, Flight Centre, was No. 10 on the
Travel Weekly 2011 Power List.
She announced her resignation in 2009, saying at the time that "it's time for chapter two in my life."
She is survived by her husband, Armando.
After she resigned from Liberty, Pelaez and Armando, along with her brother and his wife, Jeff and Maria Gernitis, purchased the Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant, an oceanfront bed and breakfast and restaurant in Cape May.
A memorial for Pelaez will be held Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. at
Il Villagio restaurant, 651 Route 17 North, Carlstadt, N.J. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
American Cancer Society or
Cooper University Hospital in Camden, N.J.