Carmalina Aldighieri

Carmalina Vacante Aldighieri of Wendell, North Carolina passed away on Monday October 27, 2025 at the age of 90. She was born on May 03, 1935 in Paterson, New Jersey where she grew up with her parents, and her two brothers. She later married the love of her life, George Aldighieri, and they continued to live in Paterson, New Jersey with their two sons, until the couple moved to North Carolina in 2006.

Carmalina attended School 15 Sandy Hill Elementary School, followed by East Side High School in Paterson, New Jersey before entering the work force. She worked primarily as a devoted stay-at-home mother, along with her dedication at a local school, St. Stephens Catholic School, as a nutritionist to make delicious food for senior citizens who came from a local senior center. Carmalina also assisted St. Stephens in various other capacities ranging from cleaning the campus church to assisting with the care of students. She also worked at Brooks Brothers as a seamstress to make a variety of fine apparel.

Carmalina was consistently involved in her community and providing for her family. She was known well for her Italian cooking, and she thrived on preparing delicious food, in order to bring joy to those around her. She and her husband attended church regularly. Carmalina and her husband enjoyed bowling, bingo, and occasional gambling at Atlantic City, New Jersey. They pursued camping with their children, along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews, which would range from local camping to Canadian adventures. She always had a deep love for animals and consistently had pets, usually cats or dogs in multitude to show them her love. Carmalina always was pleased with helping others in the family and community, leading to essentially everyone loving her in return.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, George Aldighieri, parents, Giuseppe and Rosalie Vacante, and one older brother, Vincent Vacante.

Carmalina is survived by her older son Joseph Aldighieri and fiance’ Diana Caggiano, who both currently live in Wayne, New Jersey. Her younger son George Aldighieri, wife Erin, and son Christopher, all continue to live in Wendell, North Carolina. Carmalina is also survived by her only remaining sibling, Bartolo Vacante and wife Lydia, who currently reside in Vernon, New Jersey.

The family would like to thank Smithfield Manor for the long-term care and compassion they showed Carmalina over the past three years, in addition to Johnston Memorial Hospital Intensive Care Unit staff for the higher level of care and comfort she needed in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life for Carmalina at McLaurin Funeral Home, located at 12830 Clayton Boulevard in Clayton, North Carolina, on Saturday, November 15th at 2:00 pm. Visitation with the family will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in her honor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).