Assunta Balletti (nee Porrari), 78 , of Livingston, passed away on May 17, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Assuntina, as she was affectionately called, was born in Aquilonia, Italy. She married her husband Jerry of 55 years in 1965 and soon with her sister-in-law Iole, headed for the USA. She settled in Newark, NJ where she set about starting a life and family. In 1975, she moved with her family to Livingston, NJ where she became a well known and well loved dressmaker, and was a devoted member of the St. Vito's Society in Montclair.. She loved nothing more than being with her family and throwing countless birthday parties, holidays & backyard BBQ's. She looked forward to family vacations down the shore to either Wildwood Crest or Cape May. But she was happiest when she was hosting any type of gathering...everyone was welcomed and made to feel at home. She was known to be a great storyteller and would make people laugh out loud with her quick wit and many "barzellette." She could whip up a gourmet meal in a matter of minutes with the ease of a master chef. She loved her "brown" coffee & espresso and her shopping trips to TJ Maxx & the Livingston Mall. But the great love of her life arrived with the birth of her grandson Marco. She was a magnificent Nonna who spoiled her only grandson with love and attention...attending countless soccer games and orchestra concerts. She was in her glory doting on him. Assunta cultivated countless friendships during her years as a seamstress and considered them more family than clients. Assunta was also a warrior. She fought and won the battle over Ovarian Cancer for 6 years...never complaining while enduring countless hours of chemotherapy. She was the heart and soul of her family. Sunday dinners meant the world to her and nothing made her happier than seeing her family all together. Her profound light will be felt by all who knew her forever.
She is survived by her husband Gerardo Balletti, her children, Michell Mauriello (Louis) and Gina Balletti, by her grandson Marco Mauriello and by her siblings Adelaide Giangaspero, Michelina Cetta and Potito Porrari along with many nieces, nephews and Godchildren and was predeceased by her siblings Umberto Porrari and Geltrude Pascarella.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00am on Friday May 21, 2021, at St. Philomena's Church in Livingston, NJ with an entombment at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum in East Hanover, NJ. Visiting Thursday May 20, 2021 from 4-8pm at Caggiano Memorial, 62 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ.