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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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.