Zelinda Martinelli

Our dear mother Zelinda Martinelli, nee Ghilardi passed away peacefully and surrounded by love and family on July 13, 2020.  She was born in Camaiore, Lucca, Italy on October 29, 1932 where she grew up with her parents, Giuseppe Ghilardi and her mother Maddalena Marsili and her siblings, Francesco, Luisa, Cesarina, Antonio, Giovanni, Cesare, Paola, and Luigi.

Zelinda was predeceased by her husband, Ivo Martinelli whom she married in 1959, in Camaiore Italy.  They moved to the United States in 1960 and lived in Union City and later settled in Weehawken where she lived for over 50 years. Zelinda worked as a nurse in Camaiore and as a seamstress for Bella Rose Fashions and Clara Fashions in Hoboken. Her favorite “job” though was that of care taker for her grandchildren. She gladly stepped into the role of “Nanny” and helped her daughters with caring for their children while they worked.

Zelinda is survived by her daughters Maria Kluge, Angela Strollo and Anna Martinelli and her grandchildren, Melanie, Marissa, Jason, John and Jessica.

Zelinda was a devout Catholic and was always grateful for her life and its many blessings despite some hardships that came her way. She loved to cook and spend time with her family.  She is fondly remembered for her delicious meat sauce, pasta al forno, brodo and focaccia.  Best of all though was her pizza, which she gladly labored to prepare so that her daughters could share with their friends through the years. She passed the passion and interest in cooking to her daughters.

Her daughters Maria and Angela lovingly cared for her during the last 7 years of her life and appreciate the time they had with her during these last years.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Thursday from 9am – 10:30am followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church in Florham park at 11am.  Interment at Holy Cross Cemetery in N. Arlington. 

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