Funeral mass was offered Oct. 4 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Jersey City, or Fannie D’Elia, 108, known as “The Macaroni Lady.” She died Oct. 11 at St. Ann’s Home, Jersey City. Born Rafaela Palma in Stockton, the daughter of the late Rose (Mazziotta) and Fank Palma, she lived in Jersey City the last 92 years. She was founder and proprietor of La Rinascente Macaroni Co, located on Ave. C & West 22nd St., Bayonne. She actively ran the company for 55 years, retiring at the age of 90. After that, she volunteered at Horace Mann School in Bayonne until she was 101 years old, when she was honored.
She was one of the first parishioners and remained actively involved in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Jersey City where she was a member of the Rosarians. She was the wife of the late Farnk D’Elia, Sr.; mother of George and his wife Hortense (Orty) D’Elia and Frank, Jr. and his wife Christine D’Elia; grandmother of Georgette Bilotta, Dr. Frank D’Elia III, and Mark D’Elia. and great-grandmother of Michael & Errica Trezza, Alexandria, Elizabeth, Amanda and Rachel D’Elia. Fannie was the last survivor of 7 siblings. Services arranged by the Greenville Memorial Home, Jersey City.