Theresa Ficarra

(Asbury Park Press)

THERESA FICARRA
AGE: 100 MIDDLETOWN
Theresa Ficarra, 100, passed away Sunday, Sept. 21 at Brighton Gardens, Middletown, where she has been a resident for the past nine years. She was born in Tampa, Fla., and lived in Jersey City; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Hallandale, Fla.; Fair Haven; and Middletown. She, along with her husband, Frank Ficarra, established the Cooley's Anemia Foundation in New York and were responsible for organizing the first blood drives in Brooklyn, N.Y. She worked as a custom bedspread and drapery seamstress for more than forty years, both in New York City and Florida. She was loved and admired by all who knew her, and was a devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and loyal friend. Her effervescent personality and beautiful green eyes were accompanied by her strength of spirit and love of life. She enjoyed dancing and visiting Atlantic City and Las Vegas, even into her ninth decade. She has blessed us all with cherished memories. The family is grateful for the loving care extended to her by her cherished caretaker, Mimi Adorno; the supportive, caring staff of Brighton Gardens; and the comfort given in her final days by the staff of Meridian Hospice.
She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Ficarra and son, Frank Ficarra, Jr. in 1965, and her daughter Carol Dalia in 1967. She was also predeceased by her brothers, Frank and Mickey Filippone and her sister, Frances Seminerio. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Marianne Ficarra of Fair Haven; her son-in-law, Jack Dalia; her grandson, John Dalia, Jr. and his wife Donna of Staten Island, N.Y.; Chris Ficarra of New York City and Glenn Ficarra and his wife, Alison Hirsch of Los Angeles, Calif. She is survived by four great-grandchildren: Carol Ann, John and Matthew Dalia of Staten Island, N.Y. and Ella Lucia Ficarra of Los Angeles, Calif.; her sister-in-law, Mary Filippone of North Arlington; as well as nieces and nephews and their children residing in New Jersey, New York and Florida.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday at John E. Day Funeral Home, 85 Riverside Ave., Red Bank. A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Anthony of Padua RC Church in Red Bank at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Entombment will follow at Fair View Mausoleum, Middletown. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cooley's Anemia Foundation, 330-Seventh Ave., Suite #900, New York, NY 10021. Letters of condolence can be e-mailed via the funeral home's Web site at www.sidun.com.