Della Colangelo
Della M. Colangelo, 85, of Roseland, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Della’s life during visitation on Wednesday from 4 to 8 PM at Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068, shookfarmer.com. A Funeral Mass will be offered on Thursday at 11:30 AM at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Roseland, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover.
Born and raised in Paterson, Della came of age in the golden era of big bands, crooners, and timeless romance. Music and dancing were woven into the very fabric of her being, especially the songs of Frank Sinatra, whose voice seemed to narrate the soundtrack of her youth. It was at a show in New York that she first met the love of her life, Vincent J. Colangelo. From that night forward, they danced together through every season of life, their love story spanning more than six decades.
Della’s joy for life took her to Broadway shows, Las Vegas stages, and along the Atlantic City boardwalk, where the music and lights matched the sparkle in her eyes. One of her fondest memories was attending a Sinatra performance where, in a playful moment, she offered him a red handkerchief. To her astonishment, he later sent her a beautiful plaque in gratitude, a cherished keepsake of a night she never forgot.
When not traveling, Della dedicated over 30 years to her career as a production supervisor at Severna Amphenol in Roseland, where she was known for her work ethic, leadership, and loyalty. Yet her proudest role was that of wife and mother. She created a home that was warm, welcoming, and filled with laughter, love, and the comforting rhythms of family life.
She was predeceased by her parents, Joseph and Concetta Locicero, and her brother, Charles Locicero.
Della leaves behind her devoted husband of 62 years, Vincent J. Colangelo; her loving daughters, Cathy Rabinowitz and her husband Adam, and Gina Colangelo; as well as many extended family members and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory.