ForeverMissed
Large image
Irene P. Carotenuto, on February 15, 2020, we lost our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, to complications from a stroke.

Irene (known by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as Babci, a Polish word for “grandmother”) was the matriarch of our family. 

She came into this world on July 4, 1928, the fifth of six children, to Michalina and John Przelomiec, Polish immigrants who at the time had settled in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1947, Irene married her childhood sweetheart, Gennaro J. Carotenuto (known to family and friends as Jerry and “Pop”). The couple would remain married for more than 72 years, up to the time of her passing.

Irene and Jerry had four daughters: Anita (Rhody), Donna (Kane), Tina (Seitz), and the late Theresa, who died at birth. 

The family first lived in Philadelphia, PA, then moved to Rome, NY in 1950. The family
relocated to Clayton NJ, where they lived for 10 years until building their home in Richwood, NJ in 1967, where Irene and Jerry lived until her passing in 2020.

Irene worked multiple retail jobs in the 1940’s and 1950’s, as well as taking factory positions, as she did at Whitman’s Candies in Philadelphia. In 1962, Irene took a factory job at CBS Records in Pitman, NJ, where she worked until 1968, when she took a position at Struthers-Dunn, an electronics components manufacturer located in Pitman, NJ. There she worked as a Quality Control inspector until her retirement in 1993.

The Carotenutos were very active in their church, Holy Name of Jesus, later the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit in Mullica Hill, for more than 50 years, up to the time that Irene could no longer physically attend. Irene had given so much of her time and money to help the causes championed by the local church. She had selflessly volunteered countless hours helping set up church events and cooking hundreds of meals (at her expense) for the church’s “Feed the Needy” campaign, and did so gladly.

In her retirement, Irene and Jerry would take road trips, often taking their grandchildren to vacation destinations in Florida, Virginia, and Tennessee. Up to the time of losing her sight, she was an avid reader of books, mostly those based on her Catholic religion. The Catholic mass and the Rosary were part of her daily life.

A large part of our Babci’s life was her desire to be in the lives of her nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren. She was always so generous with her time, and showered each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with unconditional love and support. 

Babci was the true matriarch of our family, the rock upon which our family structure was built. The loss of her physical being has deeply saddened everyone who knew her. However, the presence of her spirit will go on…

Family and friends are invited to her visitation on Monday, February 24, 2020 at the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, Holy Name of Jesus Church, 17 Earlington Ave., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062 from 10:30-11:30 am, where Irene's Memorial Mass will begin at 11:30 am. Interment will be in Holy Name of Jesus Cemetery following Mass.


February 15
February 15
It's been 4 years since you left us but it seems like yesterday. We miss and love you, mom. You will always be in our hearts.. Love, Anita and Donna and our families.
February 15
February 15
Can't believe it's been 4 years.. love and miss you.. always have memories of sitting in the kitchen talking..
July 4, 2023
July 4, 2023
Happy Birthday, Mom. We miss and love you.... Live, Anita, Donna and our families.
February 16, 2023
February 16, 2023
Thinking of you often with a smile! Christine and family
February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023
Mom - it's been a long 3 years since you left us. You are missed every day by those who love you. We love and miss you, Mom. Anita, Donna and our families.
July 4, 2022
July 4, 2022
Mom - let the fireworks begin. Happy 94th birthday!!! We love and miss you.

Our love always, Anita, Donna and all our children and grandchildren.
July 4, 2022
July 4, 2022
Happy Birthday Babci, I love and miss you... the 4th isn't the same without you.
February 16, 2022
February 16, 2022
Mom, it's been 2 years now since you left us. Donna and I miss you dearly. Love you. Anita
July 4, 2021
July 4, 2021
Happy birthday, mom/babci! We love and miss you!                         
Love, Anita, Donna, our children and grandchildren.
February 15, 2021
February 15, 2021
I can hardly believe that it has been one year since we lost you mom. Miss you more each day. Love you, mom.
February 22, 2020
February 22, 2020
I have been truly blessed to have a godmother as special as my Cioci Irene. She will always hold a warm place in my heart and my family’s hearts. Our love always...give hugs to my parents. You will always be in our thoughts!
February 20, 2020
February 20, 2020
You were the best mother a girl could have. I know I have a special angel watching over me. I love you Mom. I know you are in Heaven with my Babci, Dziadzia, and your brothers and sisters. All my love. Until we meet again.
February 19, 2020
February 19, 2020
Sending healing prayers and comforting hugs. May you Rest In Peace Aunt Irene. ❤️

Leave a Tribute

Light a Candle
Lay a Flower
Leave a Note
 
Recent Tributes
February 15
February 15
It's been 4 years since you left us but it seems like yesterday. We miss and love you, mom. You will always be in our hearts.. Love, Anita and Donna and our families.
February 15
February 15
Can't believe it's been 4 years.. love and miss you.. always have memories of sitting in the kitchen talking..
July 4, 2023
July 4, 2023
Happy Birthday, Mom. We miss and love you.... Live, Anita, Donna and our families.
Recent stories

Invite others to Irene's website:

Invite by email

Post to your timeline