Maria Filomena Culotta (nee Baptista), 85, passed away on August 28, 2017 in Oceanside, CA.

Maria was born in Ferragudo, Portugal on October 11, 1931. She was the only child, of Ana Rose Baptista (Monteiro) and Firmino Jose-Antonio Baptista.

She moved to the United States in 1950 and became a proud citizen in 1959.

Maria met her future husband John Culotta in Parents without a Partner in East Hanover, NJ and married on July 1, 1970 blending two families.  According to Maria, time and family are the most precious and important things in this world and was blessed to be surrounded by family and friends.   Maria moved to California in 2003 to be closer to family.  Maria was a devout Roman Catholic and you would always hear her saying prayers and rosaries every day.  She loved all things Portuguese and Italian and loved cooking.  Her other passion was a love of animals, always having a cat or dog at home. She spoke fondly of her many trips around the world and the US seeing the beautiful places and amazing people.  She was a strong supporter of the US military especially the United States Marines Corps, and an active member of the Marine Corps League Auxiliary (MCLA), Robert Slattery Detachment, Morris County NJ, and American Legion Auxiliary of East Hanover, NJ and served as President, MCLA State of NJ, and a member of the Altar Society of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Oceanside, CA.

She is survived by her daughters, SgtMaj Nettie and husband Greg Hutsell, and Ottilie and husband Michael Rung. Her grandchildren Talitha Wachtelborn, Cordula and husband Chaim Mermelstein, Priska Wachtelborn, Cian Rung and great grandchildren Zalah and Lyla Mermelstein and step-son Devin Scott.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John “Buddy” Culotta, daughter, Marie F. Wolf, and step-daughter Ann Marie Culotta.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home 210 Ridgedale Ave. Florham Park on Monday from 12-4pm.  Funeral on Tuesday assembling at 8:45am followed by a mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 9:45am.  Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.

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