Jennie Theresa Dolegowski

Jennie Dolegowski (nee Branda) passed away peacefully and without pain on January 7, 2023 due to complications from cancer and stroke. She was born on October 26, 1939 and was a lifelong resident of New Jersey. She and her husband raised their 5 children in Bayonne and Paramus and retired to Toms River.

Jennie was an only child and raised in Union City by Italian immigrant parents, Anthony and Concetta Branda. She graduated from Emerson High School in 1957. She met Edward Dolegowski in 1958 at a CYO dance at St. Michaels and they were married in 1960.

Jennie and Ed had 5 children by 1970 and during the first 17 years of their marriage, she was a fulltime homemaker and mother. She went back to work as a receptionist and secretary at various Insurance companies in NJ.

Jennie had a restlessness and curiosity that motivated her to travel the world as soon as she was able, her husband in tow. As soon as he was old enough, their beloved first grandchild Sam often joined them. They traveled to many European countries, the Caribbean and most of the U.S. via plane, ship, bus and car. With three of her children on the west coast, she looked forward to traveling to visit them, to share major holidays and life events. As her grandchildren got older, she organized yearly trips to bring her east coast grandkids to her west coast family where they formed lasting bonds and lifelong memories.

Upon retirement, Jennie and Ed moved to the Lake Ridge community in Toms River, where they enjoyed many happy years. Jennie was an active member of the community joining the Italian Club, the Newcomers Club, shuffleboard and was on several committees to organize events. She had a tight knit group of friends who she played cards and Mahjong with on a regular basis. She lived her last year at Brighton Gardens of West Orange, moving to be closer to family. She was an instant favorite of both the staff and residents.

Jennie had a long, beautiful life filled with laughter and love, a large family, and a close circle of friends she had most of her life. She was beloved by many and will be missed dearly. Her children and grandchildren were her pride and joy.

She is predeceased by her devoted husband of more than 55 years, Edward. She is survived by her 5 children: Joseph Dolegowski and his wife Dina, Lisa (nee Dolegowski) Von Redden and her husband Olentha (Lavon), Donna Dolegowski and her husband Robert Fennell, Edward Dolegowski and his wife Won, and Anthony Dolegowski and his wife Stacey; 8 grandchildren: Courtney Vialovos and her husband Christopher, Sam Fennell and his fiancé, Rhianna Salman, Trent Pernell, Derek Von Redden, Victoria Von Redden, Alexis Dolegowski, Jaime Dolegowski and Faith Dolegowski; two great grandsons Jacob Fennell and Cassius Vialovos; her brother-in-law John Russell and sister-in-law Christine Boron, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother-in-law Carl Kosc, her sisters-in-law, Helen Kosc, Dolores Russell, and Eileen Cecere and her grandson Jacob Fennell.

Visitation will be held on Friday, January 13 from 2-4 & 6-9 PM at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, Livingston. Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, January 14 at 11AM at St Joseph’s Church, West Orange. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ.