Eda Dalfol

Eda DalFol, 80, passed away on September 29, 2026. Born on March 14, 1946, in New York, New York, Eda’s life unfolded with a quiet strength and steady grace. Hers was an enduring presence whose care for others was felt in countless ordinary moments that, in time, became the most extraordinary kind of legacy.

Raised in Belleville, NJ, Eda grew up alongside her sister Gail and her brother Neal, surrounded by the early bonds that would shape her lifelong devotion to family. She graduated from Belleville High School in 1964, stepping into adulthood with the same grounded resolve that would carry her through every season to come.

Just after high school in 1964, Eda married the love of her life, Nilo DalFol. Together they built a life anchored in commitment and shared purpose, and their sons, Jeff and Alex, became the center of Eda’s world. In 1972, the family moved from Belleville to Parsippany, where they spent 29 years. In 1988, Eda and Nilo began construction on their home in Bushkill, PA, completing it in 1989; a testament to their perseverance and belief in building something lasting. The family also made room for joy and discovery, traveling together to Aruba, Acapulco, Jamaica, and Florida, gathering memories like keepsakes that time cannot take away.

Eda’s working life reflected both compassion and determination. She worked as a nurse's assistant and radiologist until 1976, when she and Nilo opened Mary and John’s Deli in Rockaway Township. Later, around 1985, she returned to school. She began at The County College of Morris, then transferred and graduated from East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania in 1990 with a degree in economics. With that achievement, she went on to work for companies including Ralph Lauren Footwear, Ishida Scales, and Ronetco Inc., bringing to each role the reliability and steadiness that defined her.

In the fabric of everyday life, Eda found beauty and meaning. She loved crafting and sewing, and for many years she enjoyed skiing. She delighted in the familiar comfort of The Wizard of Oz and treasured television favorites like “I Love Lucy” and “The Andy Griffith Show.” She loved birdwatching and spent many years breeding parakeets, attentive to small wonders that others might overlook. Her love for dogs filled the home as well. Over the years the family had many, including 4 Great Danes.

Music was another thread running through Eda’s life, and it was one that carried feeling when words were not enough. She played the piano and the violin as a young girl and especially loved Motown music. That love did not end with her; it continued forward, passed down to her son Jeff, who began playing piano at the age of 10. And in a detail that still makes those who knew her smile, Eda was very proud of her 1979 black Corvette; an emblem of spirit and style that suited her more than she may have ever admitted.

Eda also gave her time and energy beyond her own home. She was part of the Rockaway Lyons Club for several years and was deeply involved in fundraising events. Eda served on the board for Saw Creek Estates, where she played an integral role in the passing of the deer cull restriction; work that reflected her willingness to speak up and help shape the community she was part of.

Above all, Eda will be remembered for the way she made people feel: cared for, steadied, and never alone. Her kindness was practical and constant. She was the person family turned to when they needed anything, whether it was a hug, advice, or even money. In a world that can feel uncertain, Eda was the rock of the family. In her later years, she spent meaningful time with her great niece, Zoe, and her great nephew, Jake, and later with her granddaughters, Scarlett and Reese, once they were born; continuing, as she always had, to pour her love into the generations coming after her.

Eda was predeceased by her beloved husband, Nilo Dalfol; her beloved parents, Margaret and Abraham Scheffer; her beloved sister, Gail Lopez; and her beloved brother, Neal Scheffer. She is survived by her sons, Alex DalFol (Sarah) and Jeff DalFol (Candace Calitre); her niece, Alissa Papa (Tommy); her nephew, Todd Manganello; her granddaughters, Scarlett and Reese DalFol; her great nephew, Jake Papa; her great Niece, Zoe Dorony (Connor); and her great nephew, Mark Manganello.

Visitation will be held at Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871 on Saturday, October 10, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and again from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A Prayer Service will be held at Goble Funeral Home on October 10, 2026, from 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now.