Jane A. Longinetti

Jane A. Longinetti (nee Demarest), age 76 of Wharton, and formerly of Wayne, died on Saturday, April 9, 2022. She had lived in Wayne for thirty years before moving to Wharton in 2017.

Jane grew up in Hackensack and as a teenager she worked at MH Lamston’s 5 and 10 on Main St. Always a lover of ice cream, Jane frequented the Dairy Queen on Rt. 4 in Paramus, where a young John Longinetti worked. John couldn’t help but notice what a gorgeous young girl she was, and on one occasion he mustered the courage to tell Jane that if her boyfriend ever broke up with her, he would love to take her out on a date. Four days later, Jane returned to Dairy Queen and told John she was now single! John was thrilled and he told his brother “I’m going to marry that girl,” even before he had a first date with her. He took her to the local Stewart’s Restaurant for their first date, and their love has never stopped growing since that day. They were married just two years later, on June 21, 1964, at Holy Trinity Church in Hackensack. They drove to Montreal, Canada for their honeymoon but turned around and drove right back! They decided to enjoy themselves at Seaside Heights instead, and spent a few days celebrating at the Jersey Shore. Their marriage has endured for fifty-seven years, and John has felt like a winner since their first date, and he knows how lucky he’s been to have enjoyed all these years with her. He will truly miss her.

Jane and John first lived in Fairfield before moving to Wayne in 1987, where they lived until 2017. Jane was an incredible homemaker and kept a spotless house. Her kids recall how she would blast Frankie Valli, or the Supremes, on their home stereo while singing along and cleaning the house on Saturdays. She knew how to have fun, even while cleaning the house! She was a fantastic hostess, having frequent BBQ’s in the back yard and celebrating many of the holidays at their home. She had a sweet-tooth, and there was never a shortage of Tootsie-pops in her home! She could spend hours on the phone, usually talking to her sisters, and she loved to catalog-shop. Jane was very close to her sisters and their families spent a lot of time together, which allowed her children to be close with all their cousins. They all have memories of fun times together, and Jane was at the center of it all. She was kind, genuinely caring, generous to a fault, and she truly loved her family and friends. They will all miss her dearly.

Jane was a devoted mother to her children, and was most happy as a grandmother. There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her grandchildren, and they each have special memories with her. Whether it was the funny twist she put on pronouncing certain words, or the funny songs she improvised for them, or the games they played together, Jane loved them all and they knew it. She was a “fun grandma” who made sure they enjoyed their time as children, and she kept a playroom for them at her home – always ready for a fun visit. Spending time with them meant the world to her, and they will each cherish those memories forever.

Jane is survived by her beloved husband of fifty-seven years; John of Wharton, NJ, their three children; Karen Germinario and her husband Anthony of Wayne, Sharon Longinetti and her wife Wily of Totowa, and John Longinetti of Gorham, ME, a beloved daughter-in-law; Lisa Longinetti of Westbrook, ME, six grandchildren; Craig, Michael, Alyssa, and Michelle Germinario, Daniella and John Longinetti of Maine, a sister; Carolyn Dunne and her husband Ronald of Maywood, NJ, and a brother; Charles Demarest of Belleville, NJ, and many dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Kathryn Gleason, in 2014 and by her brother, John Demarest, in 2014.

For those wishing to make a donation in Jane’s memory, please consider the Act Now Foundation Dementia Center, 400 38th Street, Suite 405, Union City, NJ 07087, or visit www.actnowfoundation.org.