Lydia Alala

Lydia Alala (née Jordan), age 73 of Toms River, NJ, passed peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 6, 2023.  Born in Paterson, NJ, Lydia was a long-time resident of Totowa and Kinnelon, NJ, before moving to Toms River in 2019.

Lydia loved being with friends and family and participating in many activities, including ice skating with Tom, and learning to play the piano.  She cherished her Saturday nights at the Whiskey Cafe’, going out to dinner with friends, seeing live music and going to the theater.  A dedicated mother and grandmother, Lydia enjoyed the time spent with her grandchildren and was proud to watch them in their many different activities as they grew into the mature adults that they are today.  She also loved spending time with her niece and nephews as they grew to become parents and then enjoying time with them and their children.  Never one to miss an opportunity to be with loved ones, Lydia will be looking down on all of us and will be with us in our hearts from now on.  

Lydia is preceded in death by her parents, Carlo & Rose Jordan.

Surviving her are her loving husband of 40 years, Thomas Alala; her son, Glenn Gray and daughter-in-law, Regina; her sister, Desiree Cannizzaro and her spouse, Peter; her brother, Joseph Jordan and his wife, Tracey; her two grandchildren, Elizabeth, and Evan Gray; and numerous beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 2 pm to 5:30 pm at Horizon Funeral and Cremation Services Inc. 1329 Route 37 West, Toms River, NJ 08755.

A funeral mass will be held on Friday, November 24, 2023 at 1 pm at Our Lady of the Magnificat Roman Catholic Church, 2 Miller Rd, Kinnelon, NJ 07405.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Lydia’s favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Fund (stjude.org).