Betty L. Cifelli

Betty L. Cifelli

Betty L. Cifelli, 93, of Newark, passed away on September 2, 2026. Born Blaise Cifelli and known throughout her life as Betty, she was a lifelong resident of Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood. After raising her children, she worked as a secretary for the New Jersey Department of Transportation for many years until her retirement.

 A talented mezzo-soprano with an angelic voice, Betty had a lifelong passion for music and opera. She sang in operas and radio commercials and was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, where she shared her beautiful voice as a soloist for many years.

 Always beautifully dressed, Betty carried herself with grace and was known for her impeccable manners and unfailing politeness. Above all, Betty was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother whose family was at the heart of her life. She will be remembered for her kind and gentle spirit, her generosity toward others, and the warmth she brought to those who knew and loved her. Friends and family fondly remember the many good deeds she did for others and that she never had an unkind word to say about anyone. 

The daughter of the late John and Lillian Riggio, Betty was the beloved wife of the late Anthony R. “Bo” Cifelli. She was the loving mother of Thomas Cifelli and his wife, Melissa, and Dr. John Cifelli and his wife, SallyAnn. She was the cherished grandmother of Samantha Skilling and her husband, Daniel, Joseph Cifelli, and John Cifelli, and the adoring great-grandmother of Lily and Daisy Skilling.

 Betty was predeceased by her sister, Sadie Caravello, and her brother, Frank Riggio. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dolores Riggio, wife of her late brother, Frank. 

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass for Betty at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 259 Oliver St., Newark, on Thursday, September 10 at 10:30 a.m. Entombment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, NJ. Arrangements are in the care of the Galante Funeral Home in Union, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty’s memory may be made to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 259 Oliver St., Newark, NJ 07105.