Concetta Reitman

She was born on May 19, 1931, the middle of 3 children to Otillio and Erminia (Iorio) Gentile in New York City, New York. She was raised in Brooklyn and was an avid Brooklyn Dodger fan. (She never forgave them for leaving Brooklyn). She graduated from New Utrecht High School, aka, the “Welcome Back Kotter High School”. In 1957, she married the Hun of her life, Jerome “Jerry” “Big Jer” Reitman in Queens, New York. Before she married she worked for the City of New York Welfare Department. They moved to Long Island and she became a stay at home Mom PERFECTING the art of Mothering, making peanut butter and jelly on a Ritz. In 1976, the family had a short interesting 3 years in Pennsylvania. 1979 brought an adventure as the family moved to Arizona on a 6-day caravan trek to the next chapter of the Reitman book. As her children grew she began working at the Scottsdale Police Department as the Secretary to the investigators where she made some great friends.

She loved to read and had a knack for crocheting and knitting, however, her family was the most important aspect of her life. Holidays and Sunday Dinners, children’s recitals and sporting events, she never missed one if she could help it. It was important to uphold traditions of Easter Bread and Christmas Eve’s dinner and playing cuckoo with gusto at family gatherings. She had a way of making each family member feel valued and loved. Our Matriarch was an amazing woman who was kind and loving, and hilarious to the very end. She was independent and strong and loved by all who knew her. She was able to state her opinion in no uncertain terms and loved everyone in spite of differences.

Concetta is survived by her daughters, Donna Delgado, Lynn Cannon, Melissa Reitman (Matthew),son, Michael Reitman, grandchildren Sheryl Felix (John), Nicole Delgado, Ethan Delgado (Diane), Jacob Delgado, Dylan Cannon, Bryce Von Tersch, Travis Von Tersch, Sarah Von Tersch, and great grandchildren Mia, Maximus Raymond, Alaina, and numerous nieces and nephews. Concetta was preceded in death by her husband Jerome, her sister Nunziata “Nancy”, and brother Giovani “John”.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 4, at 5:30 pm at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of the Valley.