Nancy DeBenedetto (née Caiezza) passed away peacefully on November 5, in her home, surrounded by her four children. Nancy had hoped to reach her 80th birthday and vote one more time, and the family is grateful that she achieved both those milestones in recent days.
Nancy was pre-deceased by her beloved husband of fifty-three years, Robert, just one year ago, as well as her parents, Mary and James Caiezza, and her sister, Elvera Azarow. Nancy is survived by her children, Mariah and her partner, Daniel; Damian, his wife Nora, and their son Otis; James and his partner Thomas; and Alex and his wife Kathleen. Nancy also leaves behind her devoted sisters, Mary Carol and Constance Caiezza, brothers-in-law, Bob Pagano and Joe Azarow, and dear nieces and nephews, including Roseanne, David, Anthony, and their families.
Nancy was born and raised in Hoboken. She attended St. Francis Grammar School and Hoboken High School. She was the first in her family to graduate from high school, and then went on to Jersey City State College, now NJCU. There, she received her degree in teaching and later a masters degree, as well. She soon embarked on a career in the Hoboken Public School District that would span across decades, impacting hundreds of students. Nancy had a way of making the kids who might be having a hard time feel seen and supported. She helped dozens of high school students secure practical life work experience through the school to work program, and their success in life brought Nancy a great amount of pride. She was an active member of the HEARTS Club association of retired teachers.
Nancy and Bob purchased their home on Garden Street in Hoboken in the 1970s, and raised their family there. They lived in their dream home for five decades. The house was always full of family, singing and dancing, usually set to the soundtrack of Nancy’s favorite band, The Rolling Stones, who she saw in concert eight times.
A talented artist and world traveler, Nancy cherished the trips with her sisters and friends that took her to Italy, the Holy Land, and Mexico City to see Frida Kahlo’s artwork. Later, trips to Alaska, the California Desert, and the Gulf Coast of Florida provided extraordinary adventures and memories for the whole DeBenedetto family.
Later in life, Nancy especially enjoyed her role as grandma to Otis, whom she declared was the only person in the family worthy of her legendary meatballs. Together they enjoyed painting, playing rummy, and eating large bowls of ice cream.
Flowers are welcome. Nancy adored flowers.
Visitation will be held at Failla-McKnight Funeral Home, 533 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, NJ 07030, on Sunday, November 9, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis Church, Hoboken, NJ, on Monday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m., followed by burial at Holy Cross Cemetery & Mausoleum in North Arlington.