Antonina "Ann" Ciasulli

Antonina Ciasulli, 96, of Springfield, NJ, passed away on August 28, 2024, at home with her loving family by her side. She was less "formally" known as Ann, and everyone’s favorite Nina.

Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 17, 1928, she was the daughter of Angelo and Josephine Butera who came to America from Sicily, Italy for a better life.

Ann worked as a telephone operator receptionist at Canteen Co. in Brooklyn where she met her handsome husband who often came in to fill the vending machines. She won him over with her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, and compassionate voice.

She looked forward to a yearly vacation to Wildwood Crest, NJ every year with the family and her favorite part was being able to take long walks on the beach. And, of course, walk to the local Catholic church for Mass and then hurry back for a nice breakfast with family.

Ann also had an unwavering faith. She was a long-time parishioner of Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in Mountainside, NJ where she could be seen every day. She worked Bingo, and of course helped out in the kitchen. She was a member of the Rosary Altar Society, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and also brought Jesus the host to those who could not attend church.

In addition to her parents, Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ciasulli to whom she was married to for 65 years, her son, Joseph, and her sister, Lucy.

Ann is survived by her 10 children that she dedicated her life to and showed unconditional love: Margaret, Angelo, Tom Jr, Teresa, Joanne, Mary, Lenora, John, Anne, and Lisa; 57 grandchildren including 24 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren, and brother, Thomas. She genuinely thought she was the luckiest and most blessed person alive because of her family. She would say that she “wants for nothing.”

Raising our glass to you mom- Salute!

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church in Mountainside on Tuesday, September 3, 2024 at 12:00 PM. Visitation will be held prior to the mass on Tuesday at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave., Westfield from 9 to 11:30 AM. Following the funeral mass, entombment will be held a St. Teresa’s Cemetery in Summit.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital