Sandra Saunders, 81, of Tappan, began her most recent journey on Friday, November 29, 2019.  Born Sandra Edelstein on November 28, 1938, in the Bronx and raised in Queens, she married her love Robert Saunders on June 26, 1958.  Bob and Sandi had celebrated their 60^th anniversary last year and they spent more than 50 happy years in their family home in Tappan, NY.  Devoted wife of the late Robert Saunders, adored and appreciated mother of Sharyn Wander of Sugar Loaf, NY, Cynthia Flood and husband Terrence of Chester, NY, cherished grandmother of Heather, Vicki and Brianna, beloved daughter of the late Leo and Rhoda Edelstein and dear sister of Philip Edelstein and wife Maxine of Delray Beach, FL, she leaves behind nieces and nephews whom she held close to her heart.

Throughout Sandi’s years, her thirst for knowledge and belief in the intangible drove her to acquire many doctoral degrees of both metaphysical sciences and alternative whole body wellness techniques.

These beliefs and practices were indeed her passion and she felt compelled to enlighten and empower those whose paths she crossed.  Recently a resident at Sunrise of Old Tappan, she enjoyed the new audience with whom she happily shared her positivity, wisdom and truths. 

This amazing individual was at her core, the quintessential wife, mother and friend…  selfless, always loving, always generous and always encouraging.  The loss of her beloved Bob last year left such a deep unfillable hole, that it was simply necessary for them to be together again.  We feel grateful for the time we were allowed with her.

A service will be held for friends and family on Sunday, December 15, at 12:00pm at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ 07646.

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Phyllis Ruth Cavalli (nee Grappo), 75, of Orangeburg, formerly of the Bronx, passed away on Friday, December 6, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Sergio Cavalli. Loving mother of Sergio P. Cavalli and his wife Kelly of Tappan and Janelle Cassidy and her husband Nick, also of Tappan. Adored grandmother of Kiersten, Gabriella, Gia, James and Julianna. Dear sister of the late Carole Grappo.

Phyllis was a school aide at the Bronx Science High School. She was a member of the Blauvelt Senior Center.

Visiting hours are Monday, December 9 from 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 10 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan with interment to follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, Bronx.

Donations in Phyllis’ memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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Funeral Mass Saturday 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Closter, NJ

Interment Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Travis’ memory may be made to: Fresh Start Recovery Center, 15886 Gaither Road, Suite B, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

After a long and tremendous battle with cancer, Thomas C. Giuliano, 65, of Norwood, passed away peacefully in the loving company of his wife, Selena Piazza Giuliano and daughter, Tessa Royer on December 4, 2019.

Preceded in death by his father Pasquale, Tommy is survived by his mother, Duff, wife Selena, daughter Tessa, grandchildren Rowan and Anna and siblings Matt and Kathy and their children.

Thomas was a graduate of Regis High School and Niagara University, leading to a career in finance and the car business. He loved to dive into his work and excel in excellence his entire life.

A devout Catholic, Tom sang with various Schola Cantorums throughout the Tri-State. He also was an extraordinary lector at Our Lady of Victories in Harrington Park.

Visitation is Sunday, December 8 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday at 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park.

Tom had a tremendous love for animals. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to your local animal rescue and shelter.

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Anna M. Gizzi (nee Greco), 101, of Westwood, formerly of Norwood, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2019, 9 days short of her 102^nd birthday. Beloved wife of the late James G. Gizzi, Sr. “Gene”. Loving mother of Mary Elizabeth Baranich, Joseph Gizzi and James G. Gizzi, Jr. She was predeceased by five sisters and one brother. Cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Anna was a seamstress for the ILGWU for many years before retiring. She was an active member of the  McGuire Senior Center, Northvale, the Riley Senior Center, Westwood, Northvale VFW Ladies Aux and the Friendship Club of Mt. Zion Church in Westwood. Anna was very creative and talented. She loved people and life and enjoyed arts and crafts, knitting and crocheting and donated many of her blankets and booties to local hospitals.

Visiting hours are Thursday 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A funeral service will be held Friday 12 noon at the funeral home with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan.

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Cynthia Padva (nee Mazzilli), 84, of NYC, passed away on Monday, December 2, 2019. Beloved wife of Henry “Hank” Padva. Loving mother of Susan Padva and wife Jill Salvino, Tracey Schryver and husband Matt, Robert Padva and wife Jen and Rona Narkis. Adored grandmother of Gaby, Francesca, Caroline, Jake, Abby and Amanda and great-grandmother of Mathilda. Beloved sister of Lisa Helfand and husband Gary. Loving aunt to Danielle, Jessie and husband Tom and Josh and wife Katie.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, December 4 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-77-3050). Interment Thursday 11:30 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Leukemia Society of America, www.lls.org or the MS Foundation, www.msfocus.org. 

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Gail M. Frisz (nee Pirich), 68, of Northvale, passed away on Thursday, November 28, 2019. Cherished wife of Michael L. Frisz. Devoted mother of Michael J. and wife Mary of Staten Island and Keith R. of Melrose Park, IL. Proud grandmother of Ashley, Vincent, Gabriel and Amanda. Loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Gail was a dedicated educator, having retired from Ridgefield Park High School where she was a teacher, guidance counselor, and later Director of Guidance. She cared for all of her students and their families and kept in touch for years after graduation. She was a member of the Northvale Board of Education and created the School Aged Child Care Program. Gail was an avid traveler; she enjoyed vacationing in areas all over the world. She especially cherished spending time with her grandchildren, who lovingly called her GiGi. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend, and will be sorely missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly. Visiting hours are Thursday from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail’s memory may be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation at www.pkdcure.org

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Paul L. Magnotta, 66, of Dumont, passed away on Sunday, November 24, 2019. Beloved husband of Deborah (nee Coon). Proud father of Ryan and wife Stacey of Dumont, Jarrett and wife Jen of Montvale and Jesse and wife Stephanie of Dumont. Cherished grandfather of Gianna, Tyler, Connor, Ella, Haiden, Fallon and Brianna. Dearest brother of William and wife Linda of Bergenfield, Joanne Westphal and husband Charlie of Haworth and David and wife Dorothy of Minden, NV. He is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

Paul was a HVAC technician for many years before retiring. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, loved fishing and was a huge fan of the NY Giants. He was very active in the Dumont Rec football program for over 20 years.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart RC Church, Haworth on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 10 AM with a celebration of life to follow at the Dumont Fire House, Independent Company in Dumont.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to the Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corp or the Dumont Recreation Program.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com 

Katherine Klein Kelley of Cresskill, born September 9, 1928, passed away on November 23, after a brief illness.  Born in Woodhaven, Queens, to Edward and Ruth Klein, she graduated from Franklin K. Lane High School; Cornell University (BA); and Teachers College, Columbia University (MRE).  At Cornell, she met the love of her life, the Rev. Dr. Robert J. Kelley, and they married in 1951.

After working on the Lower East Side in community mission, Katherine and Robert moved to Bethel, NY, where he was the pastor of three churches. Robert served two more churches: North Presbyterian in Manhattan and Calvary Presbyterian on Staten Island. At the latter two congregations, Katherine organized and staffed her own flourishing nursery school programs.  Her career concluded as a faculty teacher at the Child Development Center at the College of Staten Island.  In retirement, Katherine continued to live a full life of service, visiting and helping others.  She inspired people to live their best selves. 

Katherine is survived by her loving family: son Jonathan and daughter-in-law Tricia Kelley; daughter-in-law, Tracey Kelley; and daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law Lindsay Shadbolt; her grandchildren Timothy, Katherine (John), David (Priyanka), Aaron (Joanna), William, Christopher, and Evan; her great grandchildren McKenzie, Owen, and Lalitha; her brother John Klein (June) and many nieces, nephews and in-laws. Her beloved husband Robert and son Peter predeceased her.

The family is grateful to all those who made it possible for Katherine to continue to live independently, and especially to her church family at the Presbyterian Church in Norwood.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Norwood on Saturday, November 30, at 2 pm. The family will receive friends and relatives in the church hall from 1 to 2 pm.  Everyone is welcome to gather for refreshments following the Service and to share memories and reflections. In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts in memory of Katherine be made to the Presbyterian Church in Norwood, 701 Broadway, Norwood, NJ 07648.

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Joseph A. D’Urso, 87, of Tappan, passed away on Wednesday, November 6, 2019. Beloved husband of the late Gloria (nee Mazzella). Loving father of Theresa Albanese and husband Daniel, Joanne Gove and husband Douglas and Joseph D’Urso and wife Lisa. Proud grandfather of Danielle, Michael, Guthrie and Remi. Dearest brother of Sebastian D’Urso and Rita DiBrino.

Joseph was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict. He retired from Sloans Supermarket in NYC after 40 years where he was manager of the meat department. Joe was a life member of the Tappan Fire Department and belonged to the Carl A. Schelin American Legion Post 1271, Tappan.

Joe had a great love of life and left lasting good impressions on many. Simply said, his presence in this world made it a better place to be.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery. Visiting hours are Friday from 2 PM to 9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org or Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 120 Kings Highway, Tappan, NY 10983.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com