Maria Teresa Gerace

Maria Teresa Gerace, pre-deceased by her Loving Husband, Raffaele Gerace, was a beacon of love and kindness, passed away peacefully December 1st, 2025, at the age of 92, in Kershaw, South Carolina. Born on November 2nd, 1933, in the picturesque town of Arena in the Province of Catanzaro, Italy, Maria brought the warmth of the Italian sun to everyone she met throughout her remarkable life.

Maria's journey to America was one of courage and determination. She carried with her the rich traditions of her Italian heritage, which she embraced and shared with her community in Bayonne, N.J. Her skilled hands and creative spirit found a home at the Marietta Dress Factory, where she worked as a seamstress. Maria's impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail were not just a testament to her professional dedication but also a loving stitch in the fabric of her community.

Family was the cornerstone of Maria's life. She was the epitome of a matriarch, her love for her "Famiglia" knew no bounds. She expressed her affection through her cooking, storytelling, and the laughter that filled her home. The memories created around her dinner table are cherished treasures that will live on in the hearts of her loved ones.

She is survived by her children, Mary Teresa Gerace Muller & Jeffrey Muller, Michelina Zimbardo (Deceased) & Giuseppe Zimbardo, Antonietta & Salvatore Tirro, Ralph & Raffaella Gerace, Rosemary Pantaleoni, Anthony Pantaleoni, Josephine Gerace-Carter & Keith Rigsby. Also survived by 12 Grandchildren and 17 Great-Grandchildren, her sister, Antonietta Daniele & Domenico Daniele; brothers, Antonio Gerace & Maria Gerace, Michele Gerace & Inis Gerace, Giuseppe Gerace (deceased) & Rosa Gerace, & Angelo Gerace (deceased). 

Services to be held at Caiola-Stellato Funeral Home on Friday, December 19th, 2025, from 4-8pm, 691 Avenue C, Bayonne, NJ 07002.

Mass at St. Henry's Roman Catholic Church on Saturday, December 20th, 2025, at 9:30am, 82 West 29th Street, Bayonne, NJ 07002.

Burial, to follow, at Holy Name Cemetery & Mausoleum, 823 West Side Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Agape Hospice Care Group in South Carolina - Agape Care Group South Carolina, (Lancaster, SC chapter).