Obituary of Jean Bilotta

Jean Bilotta, The Heart of Our Family All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother… Jean “Gigi” Bilotta (nee Schiavello) passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 7th with her children and her adoring husband of 70 years by her side. She shared 89 years of love and joy with all who knew her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 11th at 12:30 pm at St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville. All are welcome to join the family at the funeral home at 10:30 that morning. Committal prayers will be held in the Gazebo at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover. Friends and relatives may also visit on Friday, February 10th from 5-8 pm at the Norman Dean Home For Services, 16 Righter Ave., Denville. Born in Bayonne, Jean was one of eleven children. After her schooling, she stayed home and helped with the house and the family. A few years later, she met and married James Bilotta, a young Army soldier returning from the war. The couple settled in Bayonne and started a family of their own. She was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of Assumption, served on the St. Ann’s Society and was very active with the church for over 50 years. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and crafting and was quite talented, making her family beautiful afghans and gifts through the years. She was especially proud of her self-titled “Masterpiece”, The Last Supper. She was an excellent cook and baker and truly was the heart of the family in Bayonne. She put everyone’s needs above her own always and welcomed all into her home and heart. Her family meant everything to her and she instilled in them the values and traditions that she held so dear. The sun rose and set on her adoring six grandchildren and recently she became the proudest Great Grandma to five little ones. This family Matriarch will be missed beyond words. Predeceased by nine siblings; she leaves beautiful memories to her devoted husband James; children Joseph (Helene Johann), James (Diane) and Jean Capone (Gary); grandchildren James Bilotta (Stacey), Christina Betts (Bryan), Catherine Phillips (Ernie), James Bilotta, Linda Peterson (Mark), Gary Capone Jr., great grands Jenna, Joey, Brianna, Ashley, and Carly Jean; brother Frank Schiavello; dear niece Rena Coppola; and many more loving relatives and friends.