Esterina Fondanarosa

Esterina Fondanarosa (nee Matarazzo) born October 27,1931 in Ospedalleto D’Alpinolo, Italy to the late Carmine and Eleonora (Pisciano). She passed away peacefully in Toms River, NJ surrounded by her family on June 18, 2025.

Arriving to America at 16 years old, she settled in Paterson, NJ with her parents. She later married and raised her family with her husband Samuel. She owned and operated Shelly’s Sweet Shop and later the Donut Kettle both in Paterson, NJ. She went on years later to St. Therese’s School in Paterson serving as head chef, where she prepared hundreds of delicious meals, often with an Italian flair, for school children as well as staff.

In 1993 she retired to Holiday City Berkeley Toms River, NJ where she enjoyed the beach, fireworks, mini golf, watching the Bold and the Beautiful and playing Bocce Ball for Holiday City. She loved cooking, baking and her family. She made the best Anisette Biscotti on the East Coast! You were always assured to eat and drink when visiting her. She loved entertaining and feeding her family and friends. She was always full of energy, kindness and love with a smile and hugs that would melt your heart.

She was the beloved wife of 56 years to the late Samuel Fondanarosa. The cherished and loved mother of Michele Pietrangelo and partner Pete of Toms River, NJ. Connie LaCasse and her husband Stephen of Port St Lucie, FL. Beloved Grandma to her grandchildren Dawn Cerrachio of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, Jaime Shultz and her husband Nick of Kenner LA, Nicole LaCasse, Stephen LaCasse and his partner Sue all of Port St Lucie, FL, Media Cerrachio and her husband Mike of Little Egg Harbor, NJ and her great grandchildren Vincent, Luke, and Chance. She will be sadly missed and loved forever.

She was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters. She is survived by beloved friends and many nieces and nephews in both the United States and Italy.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, with a Prayer Service at 5:30 pm at Anderson and Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. Cremation will be private.