Obituary of Concetta DeFilippis
Concetta DeFilippis (née Mastrobattista), aged 95, peacefully passed away surrounded by her daughters at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, NJ. She was born on July 7, 1927, in Hartford, CT, to Pasquale Mastrobattista and Anunziata Marrocco. During the challenging times of the Great Depression, her parents and four siblings returned to Italy, where Concetta was raised alongside her nine siblings.
In due course, Concetta met and married Italo DeFilippis. In April 1950, while carrying her first child, she displayed great courage by returning to the United States, determined to create a better life for her growing family. During this period, she resided with her aunts and uncles in Bernardsville, NJ, while her husband, who served in the Italian Air Force, remained in Italy.
A compassionate neighbor in Bernardsville recognized the difficulties caused by the separation from her husband and took it upon herself to write a letter to President Harry S. Truman. In a miraculous turn of events, President Truman personally responded, offering invaluable assistance that ultimately led to Italo's permission to join Concetta and their family in the United States. This act of kindness and the intervention of President Truman played a pivotal role in reuniting the DeFilippis family. They settled in Bernardsville, where they raised their family.
In 1981, Concetta moved to North Plainfield, where she resided for the remainder of her life. She was a devoted and deeply religious person with a particular admiration for all the popes. Concetta was a longtime communicant of St. Luke Roman Catholic Church in North Plainfield and an active member of their Holy Rosary society. She was also a cherished member of the North Plainfield Seniors Citizens Club and the Italian American Club. Known for her loving, humble, and gentle nature, Concetta was adored by everyone who knew her.
One of Concetta's many talents was her exceptional cooking. She delighted in preparing meals for her friends and family, with homemade pasta being her specialty. Her culinary skills made her a true connoisseur, and her dishes brought joy and warmth to those fortunate enough to taste them. Concetta was also an animal lover and shared her home with many beloved dogs throughout the years. She found solace and joy in spending time outdoors, admiring the beauty of flowers, and watching the birds.
Additionally, Concetta was a passionate sports fan. She enthusiastically supported the NY Football Giants and the Italian soccer team La Roma. She never missed a Super Bowl or World Cup, eagerly cheering for her favorite teams. Her love for sports brought excitement, and shared experiences with her loved ones.
Concetta was predeceased by her beloved husband, Italo, in 2002.
She is survived by her three devoted daughters: Mary Weimer, Joanne Rosato, and her husband, Sisto, and Nancy McEntee and her husband, Philip. She is also survived by her dear brother, Luigi Mastrobattista. Concetta leaves behind a beautiful legacy through her nine grandchildren: Amy, Billy, Vanessa, Peter, Nicholas, Philip, Michele, Michael, and Shawn. She was also blessed with 13 great-grandchildren: Matthew, Sylvielou, Gianluca, Alexandra, Christopher, Joseph, Niko, Drew, Abigail, Liam, Dillon, Kieran, and Michael.
A visitation to honor Concetta's life will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Higgins Home For Funerals, 752 Mountain Blvd. Watchung, NJ. A Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Luke R.C. Church, North Plainfield, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Mary's Stony-Hill Cemetery in Watchung, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or St. Joseph's School for the Blind.
