Carmella "Cookie" Abate Rutella

Cookie was a lifelong Rockland resident, whose roots remained in Sloatsburg where she lived almost her entire life. She was the first child of Andrew Abate and Mary Sorice-Abate. She attended Sloatsburg Elementary, Suffern High School, and earned an Associate’s Degree from Rockland Community College. She worked for Ramapo Central School District, Sloatsburg Public Library, and for the past 28 years for The Salvation Army at their Eastern Territorial Headquarters. She married Robert John Rutella in October 1969 and became the proud mother to the joys of her life, son Joseph and daughter Ann Marie. Cookie took pride in her Italian Heritage and being a part of a large close-knit extended family with many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.

Cookie led a full and active life involved with many volunteer and community based activities and enriched by the many wonderful and diverse friendships she shared. Cookie was a Girl Scout Leader to her daughter’s troop, assisted with her son’s Cub Scout Den, taught CCD for more than 30 years, was a Eucharistic Minister and sang in her Church choir. She belonged to both the Sloatsburg and Hillburn Seniors Clubs, and was a founding member of “Friends of the Sloatsburg Public Library”.

Cookie struggled the past several years with liver and kidney disease requiring both a liver and kidney transplant. Cookie’s mind and spirit were strong, but her body could not wait any longer for the life saving transplants she required.

Cookie was predeceased by her husband Robert and parents Andrew and Mary Abate.

She is survived by her son Joseph Rutella (wife Christine Collins-Rutella), daughter Ann Marie Morse (husband William), brother Andrew Abate (wife Sylvia Fothe-Abate), Aunts: Rose Parker, Josephine Caruso, Anna Cantoli, Angelina Vacchiano, Rose Bassano, and Uncle Samuel Sorice along with many cousins, God-children, niece and nephews. In lieu of flowers please consider Donating Life by becoming an Organ or Tissue Donor, donating to the American Diabetes Association, or The Salvation Army.

Visitation will be held at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home, 177 Route 59, Suffern, NY 10901 on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 7-9pm and Sunday, February 25, 2018 from 2-4 and 7-9pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 47 Island Road, Mahwah, NJ 07430 on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 10am with the interment to follow at Ascension Cemetery, 650 Saddle River Rd, Monsey, NY 10952.