Obituary of Filomena Calabrese
Filomena Calabrese, 89, formerly of South Plainfield, NJ passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025 at AccentCare Hospice in Largo, FL.
Born on December 8, 1935 in Lioni, Italy, a province of Avellino, to the late Ettore and Maria Garofalo, Filomena immigrated to the United States in 1958, settling in Plainfield before calling South Plainfield her home in 1967. She later settled to Flemington and Florida to be near her daughters.
A self-employed fashion designer and seamstress, Filomena learned her skills in Italy. She designed bridal dresses for over forty-five years prior to her retirement in 1992. Soon after retirement, Filomena continued her passion of garment alterations with a part-time job at Lord & Taylor Department Store in Bridgewater. She fully retired in 2016.
She enjoyed her rose garden, was an avid gardener and will be remember for many things including being a great cook.
Predeceased by her husband Carmine in 2005, she is also predeceased by her siblings; Giuseppe, Salvatore, Antonio, Helena and Elio.
Filomena is survived by four daughters; Angela and Rich Kline, Patricia Helgesen and Frank Dancsecs, Anna Marie and Bill Russo, and Dora and Brad Fletcher and two sisters; Dora and Alba.
She will be missed by her six grandchildren; Tina, Paige, Brooke, Luke, Andrea and Dana as well as her seven great grandchildren; Danny, Violet, Nora, Sylvie, Genevieve, Case and Evangeline.
Family and friends are invited to the McCriskin-Gustafson Home for Funerals, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ 07080 on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 from 3 to 7 PM for visitation.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 149 South Plainfield Ave., South Plainfield, NJ 07080 at 10 AM on Thursday, June 12, 2025. Those who wish to join the family before mass may do so at 9AM in the funeral home.
Filomena will be laid to rest beside her husband Carmine in Hillside Cemetery in Scotch Plains following mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org/nj
Please visit www.McCriskinFuneralHome.com to send online condolences to the Calabrese family.