Obituary of Angelina R Gattuso

Angelina R. Gattuso of Clinton, N.J., died at home on June 10 with family at her side. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and a lifelong artist. She was 88. Mrs. Gattuso was born and raised in Queens, New York City, the only child of Joseph and Rose Reina, both Italian immigrants. She received a degree in biology at Hunter College and later worked as a laboratory technician at Columbia University, where she assisted a team of scientists researching radioactive isotopes. In 1955, she married Joseph J. Gattuso, whom she had known since childhood. She moved with her husband to Caribou, Maine, where he served in the U.S. Air Force, then returned to the metropolitan area in 1956, eventually settling in Warren Township, N.J., where they raised four sons. Mrs. Gattuso developed an interest in ceramics in the early 1960s and within a few years turned her passion for making pottery into a thriving business. She later set aside her work as an artist to pursue a career as a medical laboratory sales representative for the Upjohn Company, later acquired by SmithKline. In 1992, she moved to Hunterdon County with her husband, who passed away shortly after. In retirement she returned to ceramics, enrolled in numerous classes at Raritan Valley Community College, assisted several nonprofit organizations, was an avid traveler, and enjoyed her growing family. Mrs. Gattuso is survived by her four sons, Joseph Gattuso and his wife Charlene Gattuso, Paul Gattuso and his wife Maura Tighe, Daniel Gattuso and his wife Lorraine Gattuso, and John Gattuso and his wife Carla Jardim; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She is predeceased by her husband Joseph J. Gattuso and great-grandchild Charlie Graham. A burial service was held on June 13 at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to the Flemington Area Food Pantry at P.O. Box 783, Flemington, NJ 08822 or the Center for Contemporary Art at 2020 Burnt Mills Road, Bedminster, NJ 07921.