Carmel "Red" Portuese Obituary (1925 - 2024)

Carmel "Red" Portuese (nee Ippolito), 98, of West Orange, N.J., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Paul Ippolito-Dancy Memorial, 9 Smull Ave., Caldwell, N.J. The Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at 9 a.m. at St. Joseph's Church, West Orange, immediately followed by the interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, N.J. Born in Orange, N.J., daughter of the late Pasquale and Letizia (nee Infante) Ippolito, Mrs. Portuese was a resident of West Orange for more than 65 years. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Portuese was predeceased by her siblings, Mary (Joseph) Bilotti, Thomas (Elizabeth) Ippolito, William (Minnie) Ippolito, Lena (Joseph) Grillo, John (Marie) Ippolito, Sr. and Jo Ann (John) Carlone. The beloved wife of the late Charles Portuese, she was the loving mother of Liz Banka and her husband John, and Philip Portuese and his wife, Roseann; cherished grandmother of Phillip Jr. and his wife, Caitlin, and Andrew, and adored great-grandmother of Luke and Charlie Portuese. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and many friends. Carmel was employed as an administrative assistant at Essex County Welfare in Orange for many years before retiring. She was well known throughout West Orange for her interest in politics and for being a caring and generous person spending time volunteering for many organizations. She served as West Orange County Committee Woman for many years, was a member of the Women's Auxiliary at St. Mary's Hospital in Orange, a volunteer at the Mt. St. Dominic Academy infirmary in Caldwell, an active member at St. Joseph's Church Rosarians and St. Augustine Monastery in West Orange. Carmel enjoyed the Jersey shore, traveling, and cooking, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations to the West Orange PAL, PO Box 71 TCB, West Orange, NJ 07052 would be appreciated