Antoinette L. DeFalco, nee Lazzaro, was born on February 21, 1927 to Salvatore and Fortunata Lazzaro in Irvington, New Jersey.  Throughout her long life, Antoinette lived in Irvington, Newark, and Morristown, New Jersey, and Milford, Delaware before ultimately settling down in Chester, New Jersey in 1956.  Antoinette married the love of her life, Victor DeFalco, and with him, welcomed six children, who brought immeasurable joy to their lives.

Antoinette was an active member of the local community, contributing her talents to many organizations.  She was a founding member of St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church in Chester; she was active in the Junior Women’s Club, the 50+ Club, the Mushroom Club, and the Poetry Club; and she was a Girl Scout Leader, just to name a few of her many activities.  For ten years, she worked for Western Electric in Kearny, NJ, prior to having children.  For many years, she also worked with the elderly as an Assistant Programmer at the Time Out Adult Care Center in Madison and ran her own business:  Ann DeFalco Signs & Paintings.

A life-long artist, Antoinette graduated from the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts.  This continued passion led Antoinette to paint as a profession, with her work receiving praise and awards.  Over the years, she also taught art classes through the County College of Morris, including, “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.” She taught private art and piano lessons from her home and even co-founded the Chester Art Show to encourage the wider love and appreciation of art in the town that meant so much to her. 

Antoinette was predeceased by her beloved husband, Victor; brothers, Jerome and Domenick Lazzaro; and sons in-law, Jim Furtis and George Staretz.  She leaves behind her loving children,  Marie,  Dolores Staretz, Christopher (Helen), Loretta Hurd (Richard), Susanne Harnett (John),  and Patrick (Christina), sister- in- law, Kitty Lazzaro; grandchildren Paula DeFalco, Amanda Harding (Eric), Ashley Kavcak (James), Eric Hurd (Alexandria), Alessandra & Michael Hurd, Ian & Kate Harnett, Ryan, Abigail, and Emily DeFalco; and 12 great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Fatima Center or St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic Church in North Caldwell.