Brunette Gaudioso

Hers was truly an exemplary life. Born in 1920, beloved wife, mother, and confidant, Brunette (Montemurno) Gaudioso passed peacefully on Sunday to join her devoted husband of sixty-two years in heaven. Growing up in New York City, she was the last surviving and youngest of eight siblings—Nicholas, Margaret, Frances, John, Pasquale, Kate, and Nina. Brunette was the daughter of Grace and Michael Montemurno, originally from Bari, Italy, who raised their children and ran a family restaurant in Lower Manhattan through the 1920s and 30s.

Vocationally she was a talented and creative seamstress of fine women’s apparel in the 30s, working for some of New York’s haute clothiers in Manhattan’s West 57th Street. Prior to World War II, she met and later married the love of her life, Peter Gaudioso. Her considerable skills were enlisted once again in the private sector during the war in the manufacture of Navy military uniforms. Her husband served as a U.S. Army Sergeant in the Signal Corps during WWII. His tour of duty included the Philippines, Australia, and New Guinea. He later worked as a U.S. Government inspector until his retirement in 1977. In the course of their marriage, Brunette and Peter resided in Red Bank, Brooklyn, and Bloomfield, and in 1978, they retired to Toms River where they lived through 2006. Together their life was filled with many blessings and a mutual appreciation of fine music, art, and cuisine, but they shared no greater love than that of their close-knit family. Predeceased by her husband, Brunette lived at Brandywine Assisted Living in Colts Neck from 2007 until her recent passing. Residents and caregivers at the facility will best remember her for her vocal and piano-playing abilities, her genuine kindness, and her affectionate and easygoing manner.

Brunette was the loving and dedicated mother of two surviving children, John Gaudioso of Staten Island, and Angela Gaudioso of Manhattan, respectively. They will miss her profoundly, and will carry her beloved memory in their hearts forever. Four surviving grandchildren—Jessica Gaudioso, Janene Mauro, John Gaudioso, and Olivia Bernard also survive their grandmother, as well as six great grandchildren. Friends and family can pay their respects to this great lady on Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Road, Toms River, 732-240-3800. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 am Wednesday at St. Joseph R. C. Church, 685 Hooper Ave., Toms River. Entombment will follow at the Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made in her name to the Greater New Jersey Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834, 973-586-4300. Rest in peace, dear mothe