Elizabeth Grimaldi

Grimaldi, Elizabeth Ann (Grella), 73, of Clifton passed away peacefully in her sleep on April 1, 2014, with her beloved husband Benjamin at her side. Betty treasured the memories of her childhood growing up in Raritan, New Jersey. At the age of 12, her family moved to Carlstadt where she graduated from East Rutherford High School in 1958.  She later moved to Clifton as a newlywed, residing there for the past 53 years. Employed as a Bank Officer for the then National Community Bank in Rutherford she eventually left that position to start what she considered to be the greatest and most important career, a homemaker and mom.  A career in which she exemplified Excellence. A devout Catholic and involved parishioner of St. Philip the Apostle Church in Clifton, she returned to the workplace to share her artistic talents with the children of St. Philip s School during the years her children Ben and Michael attended. She spent several years as a Cub Scout leader for both of her sons holding weekly meetings in her own home.  Her outstanding work and dedication was recognized when she was awarded the prestigious Fleur-de-lis award by the Archdiocese of Newark. She enjoyed all aspects of preparing food and presenting perfection at the table for her family and friends.  She tirelessly tended to her garden each spring and summer with varying degrees of success mostly due to her refusal to add chemical products to the ground.  During autumn and winter seasons she embraced her appreciation for stained glass by creating her own Tiffany-style works of art, presenting these as gifts to friends and family. She exemplified strength and determination, fighting throughout her life conquering life-threatening health issues that unfortunately so many others fell victim to. As a child in the 1940 s she overcame polio with no permanent effects.  In 1990, she fought for 7 months through the numerous operations involved with 3 consecutive liver transplant procedures.  Then in 2011, she conquered Non-Hodgkin s Lymphoma. Family was her greatest love and she will be missed terribly by those who loved her, most notably her husband of 53 years, Ben.  Her loving sons Benjamin and his wife Kathy with grandchildren Benjamin and Gina Marie Grimaldi of Hudson, Ohio, and Michael of Clifton.  Her sisters Judith Campbell and husband Robert, Lorraine Grella, brother Michael Grella and wife Janet, sister-in-law Geraldine Anzaldi and husband Ross plus countless extended family members, friends and acquaintances, all of whom have had their lives enriched by Betty. Please sign an organ donor card today.  The gift of life is the most generous gift one can give.  We are eternally grateful to those who gave this gift to us so our mom had 23 years of fulfilling life.Funeral from the Marrocco Memorial Chapel 470 Colfax Avenue, Clifton on Saturday at 9:15 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Phillip the Apostle RC Church at 10 AM.  Interment at East Ridgelawn Cemetery.  Visiting Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.


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