Obituary of Mirella Ferrante

Mirella Ferrante passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home in Denville on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, after a long decline with Alzheimer’s Disease. She is remembered for her kindness, loving presence, elegance, intelligence and gracious hospitality.

Born and raised in Padova, Italy to the late Iolanda (Turolla) and Guido Dell’Antone, Mirella was the second of five children. Before moving to the United States, she earned the equivalent of a Doctorate in Biology at the University of Padova. In 1954, she met her future husband, Vito Domenico Ferrante, who changed name tags at a party so he could sit next to Mirella. They married August 25, 1958, just before Vito graduated from medical school. By December the newlyweds took a five-day voyage to the United States to begin their new life together. They first settled in New York, where Mirella worked in a lab, and Vito finished his medical residency. From there, they moved to New Jersey, eventually settling in Mountain Lakes, where they raised their three children, Daniel, Maurice and Lydia.  

Mirella stayed home while the kids were young, providing stability, order and wonderful evening meals. Dinners were sacred family time, and not to be missed. As a mother, she was a good listener who was able to consider all sides of a situation, often overcoming cultural and generational gaps to support her children. 

Once her children were older, Mirella began teaching Latin at the Wilson School in Mountain Lakes. She went on to teach Italian at both Fairleigh Dickinson University and Drew University for many years. She enjoyed educating so much that she continued to tutor students in her home into her 80’s. 

When the kids were out of the house, Mirella and Vito moved to Denville, where they have remained ever since. The house in Denville became the gathering place for her kids, in-laws, and grandkids for many years. Mirella loved having her family around, whether it was a pool full of grandkids or a large multi-generational ‘tavolata’ in the dining room for a holiday meal. Her quiet generosity provided a warm embrace for her entire family and dear friends. The bond she shared with her grandchildren was unequivocal.

Mirella’s last years were spent in her home under the loving attention of her caregiver, Elsa Trochez, and her granddaughter, Marisa. Although we are saddened by her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is free from suffering from the ravages of dementia. She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Vito; her parents, Iolanda and Guido Dell’Antone; and her siblings, Renato Dell’Antone, Ada Catalano, and Marisa Camuffo.

Her legacy will live on in the hearts of her children, Daniel (Cristina) Ferrante, Maurice (Jeanne) Ferrante and Lydia (Phil) Ferrante-Roseberry; her cherished grandchildren, Nicholas, Marisa, Ryan, Lucas, Katrina, Nina, Talia (Hunter Shelton), and Angelo; her caring brother, Paolo Dell’Antone; and many dear nieces, nephews, and extended family.

All services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association by way of www.inmemof.org. Please share a condolence, leave a gesture, or recount a favorite memory of Mirella to honor her beautiful life. Keep her memory alive through your own acts of humble kindness and hospitality.