Maria Rita Colella, beloved mother and Nonna, died peacefully at Care One in Wall New Jersey on Monday, September 2nd at the age of 86.
Born in the town of Mistretta in Sicily she was the youngest child and only daughter of Paulo and Vincenza LoPrinzi. In her mid 20’s Maria moved to New York City where she met and married her loving husband Donato Colella on June 6, 1971. Maria and Donato moved to Gravesend in Brooklyn, New York where they raised their two boys. In her early 40’s Maria suffered a major stroke while at home with her young sons. She was temporarily paralyzed and unable to speak. She overcame all of the obstacles put in front of her and willed herself to get better to be there for her family. This is one example of the determination and love she had for her family, especially her children. The family moved to Middletown, New Jersey in 1989. After their sons were raised and had moved out of the house Maria and Donato moved to Port St. Lucie, Florida where they spent the better part of 10 years until their return to New Jersey to be closer to family.
As a young girl in Mistretta, Maria learned sewing and embroidery from the Catholic Nuns. She took this skill with her when she came to America and worked as a seamstress in New York City, eventually becoming an extremely talented Tailor and working at several locations in both Florida and New Jersey. Some of her best jobs were making all six of the flower girl dresses for her son Danny’s wedding and sewing halloween costumes for her grandchildren. Maria, or Nonna as she was known to her grandchildren, was a beautiful woman with a giant heart and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. She loved her faith and her family deeply. Her sons and her grandchildren were the apple of her eye. She loved to gather family and friends around the table, filling their stomachs with her “world famous” fried eggplant among other homemade dishes. At the end of the meal there was always a carvel cake to celebrate a birthday, first day of school or just because it was Tuesday.
She spent the last few years of her life under the excellent care of Care One Facility in Wall. Her family was extremely fortunate to have a group of amazing private caregivers who watched over and loved her like their own mother. They are truly angels on this earth.
She is survived by her devoted sons Gianni (Megan) Colella and Danny (Cameron) Colella and her five adoring grandchildren, Elliott, Katherine, Blake, Caden and Emerson. She is predeceased by her loving husband Donato, her mother and father Paulo and Vincenza and her dear brothers Dino, Leo and Joseph. She will be greatly missed by her children, grandchildren, relatives and many lifelong friends.
A funeral service will be held at a later time. Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank, NJ has been entrusted with the arrangements.
