Maddalena

Colao

COLAO, Maddalena (Romano), formerly of Palisades Park, N.J. entered eternal rest on June 21st, surrounded by her family, she was 91 years old. She was a loving wife of 57 years to Luigi Colao until his passing in 2013. Adored mother of Antoinette Ventura (nee) Cardillo and her husband Anthony of Naples, Florida, Dominick Colao and his wife Sonya of Hollywood, Maryland, Gina Ilacqua and her husband John of Paramus, Josephine Donnellan and her husband Kevin of North Brunswick. Cherished "Nonna" of John Anthony Cardillo, Alex Colao (his wife Sarah Jane) and Alison Colao, Giovanni and Arianna Ilacqua, Sara and Christopher Donnellan. Dear sister of Gaetano Romano and Margherita Pica, Sister-in-law Theresa Castelli, and many nieces and nephews both in the United States and Italy. She was predeceased by her parents Domenico and Giuseppina Romano, and her brother Francesco Romano.

Maddalena came to the United States in 1957 from St. Arsenio, Salerno, Italy. She began her career as a seamstress in Salerno before coming to the United States and working in the garment district of New York City, taking pride in designing and sewing men's suits by hand. Maddalena enjoyed gardening - her grandchildren patiently waited for her fried zucchini flowers each summer.

She will be remembered as a gifted chef and baker, who lovingly prepared huge Sunday meals for many years, featuring her homemade pasta and sauce. Maddalena loved to bake traditional Italian treats for the holidays to share with her family and friends - especially struffoli, panzerotti, and pizzagaina, among many others. Maddalena enthusiastically passed many of these recipes and traditions down to her children and grandchildren who will (try their best) to honor her memory in the kitchen.

Maddalena was a woman of deep faith. She began each morning by praying the Rosary and participating in daily Mass. She lived her beliefs daily radiating a heartfelt warmth, grace, selflessness, and generosity to everything she did. The profound loss of her presence is felt deeply by all who were blessed to know her.

Funeral from the A.K. Macagna Funeral Home 495 Anderson Avenue Cliffside Park, N.J. The family will receive their friends on Friday, June 26th from 4:00 - 8:00pm. The Funeral Mass will be offered on Saturday, June 27th at 9:00am at St. Nicholas R.C. Church in Palisades Park, N.J. Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum in North Arlington, N.J. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to the Avow Foundation.