Gwendolyn Theresa Phillips, nee Pellegrin, of Denver, NY formally of Closter, passed away on the 4^th of July 2021 at the age of 91. Born in Northvale on January 20, 1930, “Lena’s” parents moved the family to Closter when she was a child.

Gwen is predeceased by her husband and best friend of 56 years, Thomas Joseph Phillips, her beloved grandson Travis Thomas Watkins, her parents Anthony and Julia (DelGrande) Pellegrin, her brothers Peter, Raymond, Dominick and John and her sisters Theresa DeMauro and Anna.

She is survived by her beloved children Beverly Ann Watkins of Closter, Lynda Ann Schaller (Peter) of Demarest and Thomas John Phillips (Cheryl Myers) of Fleischmanns, NY. She is the very special MiMa to Cody Malvern Watkins (Amanda) of Norwood, Schuyler Mackenzie Watkins of Boston, MA, Thomas Joseph Phillips of Fleischmanns, NY, and great granddaughters Piper Rae and Mackenzie Kate Watkins of Norwood. She is also survived by her brother Anthony of Warnerville, NY, many nieces and nephews and her loyal sidekick, her dog, Beau.

Gwen was a past president and proud member of the KH&L Ladies Auxiliary of the Closter Fire Department for many years while her husband Tom was Ex-Chief and a volunteer. When Tom retired from the Closter Police Department in 1985 they moved to their little house along the brook in the Catskill Mountains where Gwen volunteered for the Margaretville Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and the Margaretville Hospital Auxiliary. She most enjoyed eating out, gardening, crafting, volunteering at the hospital thrift shop, visits from her family and the New York Yankees.

Gwen will be forever loved and cherished for her selflessness and unconditional love for her family; she will be sorely missed.

Donations in Gwen’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Association would be greatly appreciated.

A service will be held at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050), Thursday, July 8 from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral Mass to be held at 9am on July 9 at St. Mary’s RC Church in Closter followed by burial in Fleishmanns, NY.

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Maria Papadatos (nee Savoglou), 72, of Old Tappan, passed away at home on Saturday, July 3, 2021. Beloved wife of Demetrios. Cherished mother of Elias and his wife Mary of Palm Harbor, FL and Bill and his wife Helen of Old Tappan. Proud grandmother of Kelsey, Zach, Demetri and Nikolas. Dear sister of the late Jean Zisa and her husband Peter, Christopher Savoglou and his wife Michele and Patty DeMaio and her husband Bart. Beloved aunt of Frank, Jennifer, Athena, Christen, Ashley. Maria and Denise. Predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law Dina and Nick Panakes.

Maria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and dear friend. She was a member of the  Greek Society Association for many years.

Visiting hours are Wednesday July 7, 2021 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held Thursday July 8, 2021 at 11 AM at the Metropolitan Cathedral of St. John The Theologian Greek Orthodox Church, Tenafly with entombment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

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Toinette (Toni) De Furia passed from this world  to Heaven on February 26, 2021, while wintering in Stuart, FL. Toni , 74, was a long-time resident of Old Tappan. Born in the Bronx, NY, she moved to Ridgefield Park, NJ while in middle school. After high school, Toni attended Wood Business School in NYC and became an accomplished executive secretary. Attending evening, she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from Montclair State University in 1989 and joined the faculty of Berkeley College, teaching business classes. She continued teaching for an additional thirteen years at Northern Valley High School, Old Tappan, until retiring in 2005.

Toni had a terrific sense of humor and was a great story teller. In retirement, armed with these talents, she pursued her interest in acting and performed in many productions at local community theaters. Toni’s favorite hobby was painting; she was a skillful watercolorist.

In 1990, Toni married her beloved husband, Joe De Furia, who will sorely miss her. Toni is survived by her children; Nicole Redmond, Kris Melbourne-Gemma and their spouses; her step children Anthony De Furia, Joseph De Furia, Danielle Nix and their spouses; her brother Darin Magro, his wife; and 10 wonderful grandchildren.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 7, 2021 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Toni’s memory may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org.

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Renate Wacht (nee Weber), 80, of Old Tappan, passed away on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Renate was predeceased by her husband Walter and her son William. Beloved mother of Robert and his partner Jeri Lee and children, Madison and Preston. Dearest sister of Peter and Helen Weber. 

Renate came to the United States from Germany at age 16 and worked as a model and hairdresser.  She was a devoted wife and mother and later worked at the Buckingham in Norwood and Sunrise in Old Tappan for many years.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 6, 2021 from 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Inc. (RBARI), 2 Shelter Lane, Oakland, NJ 07436; (201-228-4493); or donations may be made via their website www.rbari.org; any questions please email Chris at donation@rbari.org.

Thomas W. Kraus entered into eternal life on December 31, 2020.  Due to Covid 19 restrictions, his Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at 10 a.m. in Immaculate Conception Church, Summit Street, Norwood, NJ.  The family will gather in the church at 9 a.m. for visitation before mass.  Burial to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.  Tom was a beloved husband, father, grand-father, brother-in-law, uncle, neighbor and friend.  He enjoyed the simple things in life, and always had a smile, a wave and conversation for anyone he met each day.  His family made him proud, and was his heartfelt source of joy always.  With broken hearts we surrender him into the loving arms of our Lord, until we meet again.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed through the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/thomas-w-kraus-mass-of-resurrection-953186

Luna B. Galsim (nee Velez), 79, of Norwood, NJ, passed away at home on Saturday, June 19, 2021. Beloved of Burt Galsim.  Loving mother of Neil. Dearest sister of the late Linda Jubane and the late Danny Velez. Cherished aunt of Judith, Alan, Caesar and Bebot.

Luna was a medical technologist for St. Luke’s Hospital for many years. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend and will be dearly missed.

Visiting hours are Saturday and Sunday 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

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Carmen Maria Texeira (nee Oubina), 95, of Tappan, NY, passed away at home on Sunday, June 20, 2021.

Beloved wife of the late Anibal. Cherished mother of Marguerita Texeira of Tappan, NY, Denise Scheyd and husband Stewart of Nyack, NY and Charisse Texeira-Palma and husband Marco of New Windsor, NY. Proud grandmother of Freedom, Gabriella, Ocean, Sky, Brenson and Sabelle. Dear sister of Charlie Oubina.

Her life encompassed a career as a runway model for designer houses and pursued a career as a pianist, but her most important attributes was as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and wife. Her family will forever remember her beauty and immeasurable selflessness, we were blessed to have known her and she will remain in our hearts forever.

Visiting hours are Tuesday 3-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of one’s choice in Carmen’s memory would be greatly appreciated.

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Michael John Harris, 59, of Tappan, NY, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Sunday, June 20, 2021. The beloved son of Evelyn and the late Albert, he was born in Mt. Vernon, NY and lived in Goldens Bridge, NY before moving to Rockland County in 1997. Beloved husband of Ginalaura (nee Virgintino). Proud father of Michael Andrew. Loving brother of Katherine Harris and Andrew Harris and brother-in-law of Michael Virgintino and wife Marguerite. Dear uncle of Danielle.

Upon retiring from a career in credit leasing, Michael drove a school bus for Student Bus in South Orangetown and most recently for Rockland BOCES, Jesse Kaplan School.

Michael enjoyed spending time with his wife and son, as well as extended family, making memories to last a lifetime. Mike always enjoyed having a good time with those he cared about. He had a unique sense of humor and loved to see people laugh.

Visiting hours are Wednesday 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday at 12 Noon at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Mike’s memory to the charity of your choice.

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Frances Pedoto (nee Battaglia), 90, of Norwood, passed away on Monday, March 30, 2020. Beloved wife of the late James “Puffy” Pedoto. Cherished mother of Elaine Danno and husband Paul of Norwood and Janice Perfetto and husband John, also of Norwood. Grandma Frances adored her grandchildren, John Perfetto, Jr., Kristen Perfetto and great-granddaughter, Ellie Perfetto.  Dearest sister of the late Mary Marini, Josephine Cambareri and Anthony Battaglia. She is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

Frances was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed cooking for her family. She retired from Fleming H. Revell Publishing Co. in Old Tappan and later volunteered her time at the Buckingham Rehab in Norwood. She was also a parishioner of Immaculate Conception RC Church in Norwood.

A memorial mass will be celebrated in her memory on Sunday, June 27, 2021 at 1:30 PM at Immaculate Conception Church, Norwood, NJ.

Those who wish may make donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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Jeanne Clarkson (nee Czujak), 96, of Palisades, NY, passed away on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Beloved wife of the late John E. Clarkson. Devoted mother of Barbara Clarkson and William Clarkson and his wife Elizabeth. She was predeceased by three sisters and one brother.

Visitation will be Thursday 9 to 10 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan, NY with interment to follow at Loescher Veterans Cemetery, New Hempstead, NY.

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