Elizabeth Zazzella

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth Zazzella (nee Soder), age 90, of Wayne.  She passed away peacefully on Monday, December 19, 2022 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Elizabeth was born in North Haledon and raised n Totowa, NJ.  She was one of four children to Alfred and Elizabeth Soder.  As a young woman she attended St Mary’s Catholic High School in Totowa and graduated with the class of 1950.  Following her graduation from high school, Elizabeth found work quickly in the office of William H Coleman Associates where she worked for several years.

While working with William H Coleman Associates, Elizabeth was introduced by some mutual friends to a handsome young World War II veteran by the name of Louis Zazzella.  Louis and Elizabeth hit it off great and started dating.  As fate would have it, they fell in love and became husband and wife on January 26, 1952.  After getting married, the newlyweds settled in Pompton Lakes where they lived for several years. While living there, Elizabeth and Louis welcomed the birth of their first child, Michael.  As time went by, Louis and Elizabeth had a home built in Wayne where they have been ever since.  While residing in Wayne, the couple welcomed the birth of their second child, their daughter Linda.

After Elizabeth got married, she made the decision to become a full-time homemaker.  This was truly Elizabeth’s calling and where she genuinely flourished.  Elizabeth was a devoted wife and mother for the rest of here life.  She was a longtime member of the VFW in Bloomingdale and was an avid reader especially of novels, mystery, and fiction.  She loved shopping for clothes and cherished cooking, baking, and hosting parties and holidays in her home.  Throughout the years she hosted wonderfully traditional family Fourth of July parties.  Her absolute favorite time of the year was Christmas.  Every year the entire family would gather at Elizabeth’s home to celebrate Christmas and her son Michael’s birthday which was only two days later.  Family holidays and birthdays were never forgotten.  Everyone in Elizabeth’s family received holiday and birthday cards every year.

Elizabeth was not only dedicated to her family, but was also dedicated to her Catholic Faith.  She and her family were parishioners of St Mary’s RC Church in Pompton Lakes and later parishioners of Our Lady of Consolation in Wayne for many years.  She also regularly donated to Eva’s Village in Paterson.

Elizabeth was a kind and loving person who never spoke an ill word about anyone. She had a wonderful outlook on life and could always find an upside to everyone and every situation.  She was often selfless and stopped whatever she was doing to help her friends and family.  She was the kind of person who could talk about anything to anyone and was always knowledgeable about current topics and events. Elizabeth could captivate an audience of any age with her ability to tell a story.  It was clear that Elizabeth’s greatest passion was for her family.  Nothing in the world meant more to Elizabeth that providing for and spending time with her family.  She was a truly special person who touched the lives of many people and will be sorely missed by everyone that knew her. She and her husband Louis cherished an amazing seventy years of loving and loyal marriage together.

Elizabeth will forever be remembered as a loving wife, and a devoted mother, sister, and aunt.

Elizabeth is survived by her husband Louis Zazzella of Wayne, her son Michael Zazzella and his wife Debra of Vernon, her daughter Linda Zazzella of Wayne, and many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her two sisters; Eileen Henderson, and Doris Way, and her brother Fred Soder.

Those wishing to make a donation in Elizabeth’s name are asked to consider Eva’s Village, 393 Main St, Paterson, NJ 07501,  www.evasvillage.org