Filomena Perone Scuderi

Filomena Perone Scuderi 91, passed away at home on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, from battling breast cancer. Filomena Scuderi lived in Mountainside for 40 years before moving to Ortley Beach. She resided in Ortley Beach as well as Bonita Springs, Florida.

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 13, 2022, from 4 to 8PM at Higgins and Bonner Echo Lake Funeral Home, 582 Springfield Ave, Westfield. www.higginsandbonner.com A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 AM Monday, November 14, 2022, at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Mountainside.

Mrs. Scuderi was raised in Elizabeth, NJ and graduated from Batton High School in 1949.

She went on to graduate from Panzer College of Physical Education in 1953. In 1958 she graduated with a Master of Science from New York University. She later attended Seton Hall University where she did her doctorate work and received her 6th year level.

Over the years, Filomena worked in Piscataway Public Schools teaching K-8 Health and PE, and East Orange Public Schools teaching Health and PE 9-12. She then became a Professor at Kean University and was Coordinator for the Physical Education Major Program, as well as Coordinator of Student Teaching Program. She was also the Women's Athletic Director at Kean University. Filomena also was a coach for Girls' Varsity High School Basketball at St. Patrick's, Elizabeth and St. Mary's, Plainfield. She was the Women's Varsity Basketball and Varsity Field Hockey Coach at Kean University. Filomena was an official for High School and Collegiate Women's Basketball and Field Hockey. She was the first woman's official to officiate a collegiate women's basketball game at Madison Square Garden in 1978. She also worked for the Elizabeth Public Library, Playground Director for the Union County Parks Commission-Recreation, and a Supervisor for the East Orange Recreation Department. She was a well-known consultant for school districts throughout the state of NJ and an expert witness in cases involving Physical Education and Health.

Filomena was recognized for her work in Who's Who in American Women 1989 and her work with the Title 9 movement. She was a member of the Our Lady of Lourdes Alter Rosary Society, Scotch Hills Women's Golf League, Highland Woods Women's Golf League, Highland Woods Bocci League. She was a former member of the Seaside Park Yacht Club.

Mrs. Scuderi is predeceased by her loving husband Joseph Epifanio Scuderi, parents Fred and Jennie (Risoli) Perone, sister Rose Perone and brother-in-law Rick Scuderi. She is survived by her three children, Joseph Jr. and his wife Darleen, Mary-Jo (Scuderi) Nicholson and her husband Dr. Thomas Nicholson, Jr., and Michael and his wife Noreen. She was also a very proud grandmother to Kaitlyn Scuderi, Hayley Scuderi Capriola, Madison Scuderi, Thomas Joseph Nicholson, Laura Nicholson, William Nicholson, Christopher Nicholson, Michael Scuderi, Jr. and Jack Scuderi. Mrs. Scuderi is also survived by brother Fred and his wife Anne, her sisters Marie Mormile and husband Dominick, and Jennifer Heimmel and her husband Robert.

Mrs. Scuderi enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved cooking and baking many meals and desserts for her family and friends. She enjoyed playing golf, bocci, and cards when she retired. She will be dearly missed by her family, relatives, and friends