Singer Anjelia Pelay, 34, Of Toms River Remembered As 'Kind Soul'

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River woman who was seen as a rising country musician is being mourned after she died on the day she was due to perform at The Stone Pony.

Angela Marie Chiappelli, who was known by her stage name, Anjelia Pelay, died Jan. 10 at age 34, the Asbury Park Press reported, citing confirmation from family members. The cause of death has not been released; a GoFundme campaign was set up to help with expenses.

Chiappelli, a 2004 graduate of Toms River High School East, was described by her family in her obituary on the Mastapeter Funeral Home website as a piano virtuoso at age 5 and had been dancing since she was 2, growing to become an accomplished choreographer.

She "had made her name as a contemporary country pop singer described as 'Janis Joplin sings country,' " her obituary says. "Her songs were songs of strong women with fierce personalities battling unhealthy relationships while simultaneously exposing their vulnerability."

Chiappelli had spent the last 5 years in Los Angeles but had recently returned to New Jersey, the Press report said.

She was scheduled to play at The Stone Pony as part of an opening act for Renaissance Blvd., according to her Instagram account and The Stone Pony's Facebook page.

In addition to her singing career, Chiappelli also was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and had appeared in a number of small roles, including Brooke Hogan on WWE's "Monday Night RAW" and as the blonde swimsuit model on A&E's "Gene Simmons Family Jewels," according to her IMDb biography. She also was a finalist on The CW's show "The Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll."

"Described as exciting, ethereal, and heartbreakingly talented she was said to have the comedic timing of Goldie Hawn and the heart and warmth that Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland possessed," her family said.

Her father, Joseph Chiappelli, "was not only her father but her muse, as well as the most important influence in her life," her obituary said. He inspired her to write the song, "Heart of Gold," described in a review on The Aquarian as "a beautifully written piece of country-tinged music that should add to Pelay’s already blossoming career."

The song was a tribute released on the anniversary of her father's death from cancer. They had performed together when Chiappelli was younger, forming their own band called Anjelia and The Boy, the family said.

"Angela was such a kind soul," friend Nicole O’Brien wrote on a GoFundme that was created to help with funeral expenses. "Funny, talented, and beautiful. I will hold all of our silly memories together very close to my heart always. I love you, Ang."

Nicole Wengerter, who created the GoFundme campaign, said the two had been friends since they were 5-year-olds in Girl Scouts.

"(Chiappelli) is the reason I pursued my dream of getting into the beauty industry. I often did her hair and makeup for her shows, pictures, and one of her music videos. I now own a salon and I owe it all to her," Wengerter wrote.

"Angela was a bright light in an otherwise dim world who truly touched the lives of everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her," her family wrote.

Her full obituary is available on the Mastapeter website.

The funeral services include visiting hours Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mastapeter Funeral Home, 270 Atlantic City Blvd., Bayville. A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Saint Justin’s Church, 975 Fischer Blvd., Toms River, where she was a communicant.

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