Eileen Amoruso

Eileen M. Amoruso, 76, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025.

The third child of Matthias and Lucy (Buoye) Flammer, Eileen was born in Orange, NJ, and raised in Cedar Grove. A graduate of Immaculate High School in Montclair, she went on to Felician College in Lodi, where she earned her registered nurse degree. Eileen later continued her education at Jersey City State, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Eileen began her nursing career at Saint Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson working in the Intensive Care Unit and later as nursing supervisor on the surgical floor. After a break to raise her children, she returned to St. Joe’s, working in the infectious disease clinic. In 2001, Eileen, along with her close friend, Rita, were nurse founders of the St. Mary’s Church Medical Assistance Program.

It was at St. Joseph’s that Eileen met her future husband, Dr. Robert “Bob” Amoruso, a young pulmonary critical care physician. Though Bob tried several times to catch Eileen’s attention in the hospital coffee shop, his early attempts went unnoticed. Persistence eventually paid off, and their first date took place at a New Year’s Eve party in 1976. Many dates later came a perfectly planned proposal: while vacationing in Lavallette, Bob placed an engagement ring inside a box of Cracker Jacks, letting it serve as the “prize.” When Eileen found the ring, Bob dropped to one knee—only for Eileen to drop the ring into the sand! Thankfully, it was quickly recovered, and the couple exchanged their wedding promises before God, family, and friends on March 8, 1980. Though the day was rainy and sleety, their love easily outshone the weather. Both avid skiers, they honeymooned in Aspen and Vail, Colorado.

Eileen and Bob began their married life in Clifton in a house located at 15 Renaissance Drive, where they welcomed their first two children, Katie and Dan. They later moved to 23 Robin Hood Way in Wayne, where their third child, Christina, was born, and in 2019 they moved to their present home in Wayne.

The Amoruso family created countless cherished memories at their getaway home in Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont, where they enjoyed hiking and skiing, and especially après ski. Eventually, she and Bob traded Vermont winters for the warmth of Bonita Springs, Florida, where she made new friends, enjoyed sunset cocktails at the beach and walks around the neighborhood.

Over 45 wonderful years of marriage, Eileen and Bob traveled extensively, visiting Italy, Peru, Scandinavia, Spain, and Australia, to name a few.  Eileen and Bob loved to travel with their extensive group of friends, especially the “WOWs” and their spouses.  Though, her favorite vacations were with her family, proudly dubbed “Amopalooza”. Just last year, for Eileen’s 75th birthday, they celebrated with their entire family—children, spouses, and grandchildren—on a trip to Ireland.

Eileen was the best kind of friend—loyal, kind, enthusiastic, and always ready to gather, whether for dinner, a game, or a celebration. She was invariably the first to arrive and the last to leave. She and Bob hosted Super Bowl parties for years, and in more recent times, Eileen loved playing Mahjong and Canasta with her close circle of friends.

Nothing brought Eileen greater joy than being surrounded by her family. She was especially proud to welcome daughter-in-law, Dawn, and son-in-law, Nathaniel into the family. Her two grandsons, Blake and Ryan, were her latest, greatest joy. She loved hosting family gatherings, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, where her beautifully decorated home, delicious food, and warm, welcoming spirit made every celebration special. She was known for her impeccable hospitality, and her fondness for a glass of Chardonnay—or, on special occasions, a Manhattan.

Eileen kept an immaculate home, earning the nickname “Scoop.” If something was left in “the wrong place,” she would whisk it away in a New York minute to what she deemed “a better place,” leaving everyone wondering, “What just happened?”

Eileen took deep pride in her family’s accomplishments—her husband’s medical career, her daughters’ shared calling as nurses, and her son’s work as a cardiologist.

When Eileen was diagnosed with ovarian cancer nearly 12 years ago, she faced it with strength and grace. Through surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy she bravely fought, and, as many of her friends and family would attest, never complained.

Eileen was the beloved wife of Dr. Robert Amoruso, blessed with 45 beautiful years of marriage. She was the loving mother of Katie Amoruso and her husband Nathaniel, now residing in Kathmandu, Nepal; Dr. Daniel Amoruso and his wife Dawn of Mountain Lakes; and Christina Amoruso of Jersey City. She was the cherished grandmother of Blake and Ryan Amoruso; dear sister of Donald Flammer and his wife Carole of Albuquerque, New Mexico; the late Gerald Flammer and his late wife Connie; and Michael Flammer. She is also lovingly remembered by many nieces and nephews.

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The family requests that in lieu of flowers, remembrances be made by making a donation to:

John Theurer Cancer Center GYN Oncology Division at: Hackensack Meridian Health Foundation

343 Thornall Street, 7th Floor

Edison, NJ 08837

If you wish, you may also give online at John Theurer Cancer Center

Please make a note that your gift is in memory of Eileen Amoruso