Madison Resident, Healthcare Pioneer Dies At 96

MADISON, NJ - Obituary provided by Madison Memorial Home

Viola Louise De Luca (nee Cortellini), a longtime Madison resident, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. She was 96.

Viola was born in Mt. Carmel, PA on December 29, 1922 to the late Joseph and Angela Cortellini. She earned her RN degree from Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia, and shortly after that Viola was one of the first women in the country to receive her certification in anesthesiology from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NY. She was very proud to have studied under the tutelage of Dr. Virginia Apgar, the physician responsible for the development of the Apgar score for newborn children.

Viola and her beloved husband and best friend, William Francis De Luca settled in Madison close to 70 years ago, where they raised their family of seven children. Her family and faith were everything to her, and it was that deep faith in God that brought Viola strength, inner peace and acceptance throughout her entire life. She prayed the rosary regularly and was a longtime member of St. Vincent Martyr Church.

Viola deeply cherished the company of her family, especially her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren & a few dear friends. She enjoyed traveling and her family has many fond memories of summers spent at their home on the north shore of Long Island and winters in Cancun, Mexico, where Viola and William traveled every year and built many strong, lasting friendships.

Viola’s family will always remember her as a hardworking, devoted, humble, faith-filled woman. Her warm, gentle spirit and legacy will live on eternally.

In addition to her parents, Viola was predeceased by her brothers, Elmer and John Cortellini; her grandsons, Anthony Esposito, Jr. & baby Anthony De Luca. She is survived by her devoted husband of 69 years, William Francis De Luca; three loving sons, William F. De Luca, Jr. (Denise) of Albany, NY, Philip R. De Luca (Christine) of Lewiston, NY, Anthony De Luca (Patricia) of South Orange; four devoted daughters, Rose Angela De Luca (Rev. Frederick Boyle) of West Caldwell, Christina Tsourtsoulas (Dimitrios) of Kastoria, Greece, Viola E. DeLuca “Yo-Yo” of Madison, and Adrianna Esposito (Anthony) of West Orange; 14 cherished grandchildren; 9 beloved great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a visitation to celebrate Viola’s life on Thursday, April 25, 2019 from 3-7 p.m. at the at the Madison Memorial Home, 159 Main Street, Madison. All may gather at the funeral home at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 26, 2019 prior to a 10:30 a.m. Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated at St. Vincent Martyr RC Church, Madison. Interment will follow at St. Vincent’s Cemetery, Madison.

In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in Viola’s memory to St. John's Soup Kitchen, 22 Mulberry Street, Newark, NJ 07102, or to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherd Lane, Totowa, NJ 07512

For further information or for condolences to the family, please visit our website at www.madisonmemorialhome.com

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