Philomena Casale passed away at her home December 1, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was a few weeks shy of her 85th Birthday.
“Phyllis, Phil, Gee-Gee or Gramms”
As she was called , was married for over 62 years to her high school sweetheart, Nicholas Casale.
Nick was a Football player and she was a twirler.
She worked in early years at the New Jersey Safety Council .
Later years she worked at Battle Hill
School in Union where she most enjoyed working with Special Needs children.
Unfortunately, her role as a wife turned into one as a caretaker for her husband, when he suffered a stroke.
She did it with LOVE and GRACE
for over 20 years.
She was a “rule follower” , “for better or worse”.
She was voted “Nicest Person” as a tie with another in High School. She quietly gave the title to her tied friend.
Her most cherished role was that of “Mom and Grandmother” .
Her kids were first and foremost.
She treasured them and embraced every moment with them.
She especially treasured the role of “Gee-Gee or Gramms”.
Philomena was Blessed with 4 children; Joanne, Nicholas (Kitsa), Mark (Karen) and Gail.
The most difficult season of her life was that of losing her youngest daughter Gail , to a long battle with Cancer in 1993.
She is a cherished Grandmother of 6,
Nikko (Sabrina), Hope, Gail, George, Sam, Marc
and a Great-grandmother to Amelia,
with 2 more great-grandchildren on the way , due in March .
She leaves behind many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
She may not have seen them much due to her obligations at home but she always had room in her heart for each and every one of them.
She is predeceased by her loving parents , Gennaro and Antoinette LoRusso and her cherished siblings,
Michael, Madeline, Anthony and their spouses who are beloved family,
And Godparents to her children,
Eva and Joseph .
Doris LoRusso , Michaels wife , resides in NJ.
Her husband’s family including all the siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews
Are also a huge part of her/our fabric
That makes up our Family. Those here and gone have all shared a beautiful part of life together. It’s part of who she/we have become. No matter the time apart or distance, it is ingrained in each of us left behind.
“Traditions and family “are a gift we received from each and every person that makes up this fabric we call “Family and Friends” Named above and below.
Her friends were important to her.
She didn’t have an army of friends but
those friends she had were very dear and close.
We will Miss you dearly and hold you close in our hearts forever.
We are honored and privileged to call you Mom .
Rest In Peace
We all have another Angel to watch over us 🙏🏻❤️
A visitation for Philomena will be held Friday, December 6, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083. A funeral service will occur Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10:30 AM at Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Church, 971 Suburban Road, Union, NJ 07083. Committal service will occur Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, 1500 Stuyvesant Avenue, Union, NJ 07083.
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