Carmela was born in LaFollette, TN on June 7, 1941. She grew up in Dover, NJ and graduated from Dover High School in 1959. On November 12, 1966, Carmela married the love of her life, Edgar Pragler, Jr., at the United Methodist Church in Madison, NJ. Together they moved to Morris Plains, then spent 14 years in Wharton before settling in Lafayette where they have lived for the past 45 years. Carmela worked as an Executive Secretary at Picatinny Arsenal for 25 years prior to retiring, this also where she first met her husband, Edgar.
Carmela had impeccable taste, whether it be her fashion sense and love of shopping or her sophisticated decorating abilities. She found peace and purpose in movement through exercising and hiking, activities that kept her fit and allowed her to explore the beauty of nature. Always inquisitive about history, Carmela’s travels would often take her to historical sites where she could take in the stories of those who came before her. She loved to feel the sun on her skin and wind in her hair while she sunbathed in Point Pleasant, NJ, boated on Barnegat Bay, NJ, and enjoyed numerous vacations to Key West, FL.
Carmela was predeceased by her parents, Rene and Ruth (White) Cigliano; her brother, James Cigliano; her sister, JoAnn Fields; and her nephew, Scott Schulz. She is survived by her beloved husband, Edgar Pragler, Jr., her nephew, Lee Cigliano; her nieces, Tracie Cigliano, Terri Mock, and Amber Johnson; her sister-in-law, Georgia Cigliano; and her cats, Beau and Blackie.
Visitation will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High St, Newton, NJ, with a funeral service beginning at 5 pm. Carmela will be laid to rest at 11:30 am on Monday, August 4, 2025 in Rosedale Cemetery, 750 E Linden Ave, Linden, NJ.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Carmela’s memory to: Father John’s Animal House, 50 Father Johns Ln, Lafayette, NJ 07848.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.smithmccrackenfuneralhome.com.
