Gilda Tobia

Visitation will be Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Avenue, Union, NJ. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 am on Monday, June 12, 2023, at St. Michael’s Church, 1212 Kelly Street, Union, NJ, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ.

Gilda was born in Newark, NJ and was employed as a teller by the West Side Trust Bank in Newark, before starting her family and becoming a homemaker. She was a Girl Scout and Brownie Leader, a member of the Catholic Daughters of America Court #1360 and the Senior Citizens Organization of St. Michaels in Union, NJ, and was also a member of the Italian American Social & Civic Club of Stafford, NJ. She was a snowbird, enjoying many winters in Florida with family and friends.

Gilda was fun loving and active, enjoyed bowling, tennis, and golf. She was young at heart, always the one to go on rides with her children and grandchildren, especially the Tilt-A-Whirl. She loved to cook and enjoyed hosting gatherings with family and friends. Her good nature and kind disposition was a constant presence throughout her life.

She was predeceased by her husband Andrew, her parents, Albert and Florence Vellanti (nee Ramella), her sisters Agnes Kalkus and Louise Cerami, her brothers Dominick and Samuel Vellanti, and son-in-law Michael Stefanyak. She is survived by her children, Michael A. Tobia, Adrienne G. Stefanyak, and Ann Marie Milanesi and her husband Joseph. She was the grandmother of Carrie Davis and partner Thomas, Michael C. Stefanyak, Jr. and wife Christina, Alexander A. Stefanyak, Michelle Tobia and partner Michael, and Andrew A. Tobia and partner Amanda. She also leaves great-grandchildren, Nicholas and Olivia Davis, Rocco Stefanyak, and Nicholas and Giovanna Guerrieri. She is also survived by extended family members, including nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Gilda was also blessed with compassionate and loving caregivers, for whom her family will be eternally grateful.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gilda’s name may be made to St. Jude, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McCrackenFuneralHome.com for the Tobia family.