Elizabeth Bifalco

Elizabeth Mary Evangelista Bifalco age 95 of Toms River passed away peacefully Sunday September 30th at home. Born January 4, 1923 in Long Island City, NY to Paola and Alfredo Evangelista, sister to her deceased siblings Marie Josephine Fox, Salvatore, Thomas, Anthony, Frank and Louis Evangelista.

My mom was my best friend. She was the sweetest, gentlest, kindest, most humble, brave person I ever knew. There wasn’t a mean bone in her body. She never wanted to be a bother to anyone, she wanted to help everyone.

Mom and Dad were teenage sweethearts, married 10 days shy of 69 years. They were holding hands till the end five years ago. When she married in 1944, they moved to Brooklyn, NY for 35 years, then to Queens, NY for 9 years, then to Staten Island, NY for 30 years and finally to Toms River, NJ which she loved and wished she had moved here sooner. She loved seeing all the animals especially the baby deer.

She was all about family, cooking and baking. She loved her sweets especially chocolates. She loved to cook and bake and watch you eat. She was very protective of those she loved. She was a good Catholic woman who prayed everyday not only for all those she knew but for America and the world. She would only see the good in people. Her faith and trust in God was infinite. In times of hardship she would say count your blessing and tell God you love him. Her last instruction to me was pray the rosary to the Blessed Mother Mary for all those less fortunate.

She joins her beloved husband, Sammy and Son, Neil whom she adored. She leaves behind her daughter and son in law Grace and Richard Mataka, her daughter in law Johanna Bifalco, grandchildren Lisa and Billy Gross, Neil and Lisa Bifalco, Sonny and Krystle Mataka, Elisabeth Mataka Robles, great grandchildren Emma, Neil and Caroline Bifalco, Billy and Laila Gross, Isabella and Gianna Mataka, sister in law Lucy Evangelista, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Visiting will be held Wednesday from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at the Quinn Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd. Toms River. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11:30 am Thursday at St. Maximilian Kolbe R. C. Church, Berkeley Twp. Burial will follow at the Cemetery of the Resurrection, Staten Island, NY. Donations may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society or EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network).