Roselyn Abbate

Roselyn Abbate, age 88 of Pompton Plains and formerly of West Caldwell, died peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Born in Newark to Michael and Minnie Amatelli, Roselyn moved to Bellville in 1957, where she lived with her sisters; Carol and Ellen. She began her professional career with Bell Telephone and later became a medical secretary, retiring from Pompton Chiropractic in Verona many years ago.

On September 9, 1961, Roselyn married the love of her life; Andrew “Red” Abbate. They enjoyed fifty-seven years together in a loving and devoted marriage. Roselyn happily cooked for Red everyday, and he ate like a king. And in the days before cars had remote starters, Red would always warm up the car for Roselyn so she never had to get into a cold car. These are just small examples of their devotion to one another. Sadly, Red passed away in 2018 and Roselyn has missed him each day since.

Roselyn, a woman of strong Catholic faith, was a former president of the rosary society at Saint Aloysius parish West Caldwell, and she prayed constantly for her family. Among her happiest memories would be the births of her four grandsons. She loved and cherished her grandsons who she and Red lovingly referred to as their boys. She loved to cook and bake for her boys and some of the favorite meals they enjoyed when they were young, included dinosaur pancakes. She taught them prayers and how to bake cookies and make pasta from scratch. She was a self-taught hair stylist who even cut their hair! Roselyn and Red enjoyed attending endless sporting events their grandchildren were involved in, even in the freezing cold winter, or the scorching summer heat. Her son-in-law Galen, also held a special place in her heart, although at times she may have rolled her eyes and told him he was a real pip, but she adored him. 

Roselyn’s love for Red knew no bounds. Roselyn was a very proud Italian, a strong woman, and a straight shooter. Later in life, her own father referred to her as “the general.” Roselyn loved and enjoyed her extended family as well. She often talked about her many uncles, aunts and cousins, the fun times they shared that were all so special. Summers at her uncle's house at the shore and New Years Eve, which always included pickled pigs feet and Whisky Sours, were among her favorite recollections. Roselyn was a fabulous cook and every meal was like eating in a five-star restaurant. Everyone would have to lie down after eating one of her amazing meals to recover before dessert. Christmas Eve and the feast of seven fishes was no exception; just when you thought the dinner was over, another course would come out!  One Christmas even included a whole eel with a radish in it’s mouth, which she made especially for her dad! Her cousin, Paul Marinaccio, described her as the “family matriarch” and she leaves them all with wonderful memories to cherish throughout their own lifetimes.

Roselyn was a very classy woman who always dressed to the nines and never left the house looking anything less than her best. She loved dancing and music, especially Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett & Judy Garland. Her late cousin, Leonard Marinaccio of Florida, took her to see Jersey Boys on Broadway once, which created an especially wonderful memory for her. After the intermission, the theatre lights dimmed before she had time to make it back to her seat, so a kind young man took her by the arm and escorted her through the dark. That kind young gentleman turned out to be none other than Kevin Costner. Her other cousin, Lenny Marinaccio of Caldwell, said the memories he has of Roselyn are as one of the younger cousins are forever etched in my being. The memories of her as an adult will always include me driving over to her house on any random night for a cup of coffee and something always fresh baked on the kitchen table with her and Red. These memories, and many more fond ones like these, will be shared for years to come.

Roselyn leaves behind her much-loved family; Son Andrew, daughter Dorene Edie, son-in-law Galen Edie, her cherished grandsons Galen, Nicholas, Christopher and Sean Edie, her baby sister Ellen Warning, Ellen’s husband and much-loved brother-in-law, Tom (deceased), sister-in-law, MaryAnn Van Dusen, Brother-in-law John Juliano, and sister; Carol Juliano (deceased), her nieces and nephews: John Juliano Jr. (deceased) and wife Sandy, her nephew Glen Juliano and wife Mindy, her niece Laura Riley and husband Keith, her nephew Michael VanDusen (Sonny-boy), her niece Dana Warning, and her God Child & niece Jill Warning, as well as grand-nephews Michael, Stephen, Alexander and Jonathan Juliano and grand-niece Kate Reilly.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to The Child Life Program at Saint Josephs Children's Hospital.  Please click on this link https://givetostjosephs.org/donations/ and click on the Child Life Program in the DESIGNATION area and click on the TRIBUTE section and be sure to include In Memory of Roselyn Abbate.  We will also have cards for donating to the Child Life Program at the funeral home.