Elaine Bakkali

Elaine is survived by her loving husband Sam Bakkali, her sister Denise Rosamilia-Nolan and her husband Michael, her children, Sara & Hicham Bakkali and her grandchildren, Angelo Rocco Savino, Iyad Bakkali & Ayan Bakkali.

"Elaine was a gifted hairdresser, celebrated for her skill in cutting, coloring, and working with wigs. She successfully owned and operated a wig salon in Kearny before opening

Elaine’s Hair Design in Belleville, NJ. Her warmth, humor, and welcoming spirit made a lasting impression on everyone who walked through her doors. Elaine was a woman of many passions. She had a deep love for music and film and was an avid reader who could often be found with a novel in hand. Her appreciation for the arts led her frequently to New York City, where she delighted in attending Broadway shows and exploring the vibrant cultural scene. These experiences brought her great joy and reflected her curious, spirited nature."

A Tribute from Sara & Hicham to Elaine

(In Loving Memory of Elaine Bakkali 01/10/1951 – 10/30/2025)

The Mother We Never Had

When we think of Elaine, we don’t just think of our stepmother — we think of the woman who became the mother we never had.

Elaine came into our lives when we were young adults — uncertain, searching, and trying to find where we belonged in this world. And somehow, without hesitation, she saw us. She didn’t see someone else’s children. She saw us. And she opened her heart completely.

She didn’t have to love us the way she did — but she did anyway. She welcomed us into her world with warmth, patience, and the kind of love that heals old wounds you didn’t even know were still there. From that day forward, she wasn’t just a stepmother — she was our home, she was our one and only Mamooch!

Elaine was strong — one of the most resilient souls we have ever known. Life didn’t always make it easy for her, but she never let that stop her from loving deeply, giving generously, and standing tall through every storm. She carried herself with quiet courage and grace. And even when her body grew tired, her spirit never gave up. She fought — with everything she had — right until the very end.

Her strength was incredible, but so was her softness. She had that laughter — the kind that could fill an entire room and make even the hardest day feel lighter. We miss that sound more than words can ever say.

Some of our sweetest memories are of us together in the kitchen — the smell of sugar and honey in the air, laughing as we made struffoli, creating a beautiful mess of everything. Those moments were simple, but they were everything. They were love, comfort, and connection — the kind of memories that live forever in our hearts.

Elaine taught us that real family isn’t something you’re born into — it’s something you build through love, trust, and time. She taught us that being a mother isn’t about titles — it’s about showing up, caring, and loving someone as your own. And she did that for us.

Because of her, we learned what unconditional love feels like. Because of her, we know what it means to be cared for, supported, and believed in. She gave us what we had been missing our whole lives — the love of a mother.

There’s a piece of Elaine in everything we do now — in how we love people, in how we handle challenges, in how we find strength when life gets hard. When we hear ourselves comforting someone the way she used to comfort us, we know that’s her. When we laugh in the kitchen, remembering our struffoli baking days during the holidays, we know that’s her too.

Her love didn’t end — it simply changed form. It lives in us. It lives in everyone she touched.

And it lives on beautifully in her grandsons — Angelo Rocco Savino, Iyad Bakkali, and Ayan Bakkali. They will miss their grandmother deeply. She adored each of them with a love that was joyful, protective, and endless. Whether it was her gentle hugs, her laughter filling the room, or the way she always made time to listen and smile — she made each of them feel special and deeply loved. Elaine’s spirit will forever live within them — in their laughter, their kindness, and in the way they carry her love forward as they grow.

Elaine — our beloved Mamooch — you were our mother in every way that truly matters. You gave us the kind of love we thought we’d never have, and we will carry that with us forever. We miss your voice. We miss your contagious, hearty laugh. We miss your hugs. But we know you’re still with us — in every sunrise, in every whisper of peace, in every ounce of strength we find when we need it most.

You taught us what a mother’s love really means — and that’s a gift we’ll never lose.

Thank you for being our mother. We love you beyond words. And we always will.

“Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.” And we know you’re walking beside us, Elaine — just like you always did.

Elaine, forever loved and forever remembered. With love,

~ Sara & Hicham ~