A funeral mass was offered Jan. 21 at Our Lady of Victories Church, Jersey City, for Philomena M. Gonnella, 94. She passed away peacefully on Jan. 16. The daughter of Mauro and Emilia Iezzi, she was known as Phyllis to everyone who knew her and also as Nana to her 11 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Phyllis was born, raised and lived in Jersey City all of her life before moving to her summer home in Toms River full time after the passing of her husband Dominic (1999).
Phyllis was a homemaker most of her life but did manage to work several years in a New York downtown business district brokerage house as a bookkeeper when her children moved on in life. Phyllis retired at the age of 65. Phyllis was the mother to Tom Gonnella (Elizabeth), Amelia Lombardi (partner Edmund) Antoinette Irianne (Joseph) and Michael Gonnella (Laurie). Both Phyllis and Dominic loved to travel and loved the Jersey Shore. Phyllis was predeceased by brothers, Fred, Albert and Louis and sister, Marie Bogusky. Surviving is a sister in law Angelina Trevison. The Gonnella family was grateful for the excellent care she received from the staff at Potomac Homes in Hillsdale. Services arranged by the Greenville Memorial Home, Jersey City.