Obituary of Virginia K. Celentano

Virginia K. Celentano, (nee Villanueva) passed away on February 22nd. She shared 87 years of love and laughter with her family. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 28th at 12 noon at St. Antonius Church, 337 South Orange Ave., Newark. Interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Friends and relatives may visit beginning at 11 am at the church. Donations in her name may be made to the good work of the Karen Ann Quinlan Home For Hospice by way of www.inmemoryof-memorial.org. Ginny was born in Newark to the late Ilse and Quintin Villanueva. After graduating from Weequahic High School, Ginny worked in the Accounting Department of the New Jersey Bell Telephone Company until her retirement in 1962 when she married “Tony.” The couple lived in the Vailsburg section of Newark before moving to Livingston where she was an active member of the charismatic prayer group of St. Philomena’s Parish and St. Antoninus Parish in Newark. Ginny had many roles: She loved to cook and entertain, teaching us all how to appreciate many ethnic cuisines, but her happiest role was one of “Mother” and her proudest was being called “Nan.” She adored her grandchildren and she loved being surrounded by her family especially on summer vacations at Chadwick Beach Island. Predeceased by her husband Antonio G. Celentano, and her sister Viola Scheetz (Floyd); she leaves happy memories to her daughter Lucia Celentano (Edward Vander Veen); granddaughter Kaitlin Jenkins and her fiancée Christopher Franz; grandson Kenneth Jenkins; sister Carol McGotty (Gary); brother Quintin Villanueva (Yolanda) and many dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Ginny was the loving “Matriarch” of our family and will surely be missed.