Ann Marie Conticchio

Ann Marie Conticchio, loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, of Colonia passed away on Thursday evening, February 5, 2026 at home. She was 82 years old.

Ann Marie was born on October 31, 1943 to the late Anthony Fortuna and Stella (n. Silletti) DeMarco in Jersey City, NJ. After graduating from Snider High School, Ann Marie soon married her high school sweetheart Joe and they lived near McGuire air force base while he served as they started their life together. They then moved back to Jersey City and had 3 boys, until which time they needed more space. Moving to Colonia they could really spread out and finish their family. Ann Marie and Joe had 5 beautiful children and she devoted her life to them.

She was a pioneer in everything she accomplished and set the path for many young mothers who followed. Whether it be homeschooling, advocating for special needs, or fighting to change the laws in NJ.

She was a devoted advocate for mothers and families throughout her life. In the early 90's she became a certified IBCLC, and as a lactation consultant, she used her expertise and care to help countless new mothers navigate the early days of bonding with their newborns working for WIC. Her passion for helping families extended beyond her professional work. She founded Middlesex County's chapter of Mothers against Drunk Driving in 1984 and was a leader of La Leche League. Her and her husband were also volunteer coordinators for Somerset County Special Olympics. Ann Marie was a trailblazer, a matriarch, but most importantly, a mother.

She had a deep love for animals – whether it was bird watching or rescuing chickens, rabbits, cats, dogs or chinchillas to bring home, her love for animals knew no bounds. Ann Marie enjoyed reading, building her home library over the years and filling it with books of various subjects and interests; but her greatest love was always her family. Ann Marie had an unwavering relationship with the Lord and because of this her faith helped her climb through the toughest parts of her path.

She is predeceased by her parents, Anthony and Stella DeMarco, her biological father, Anthony Fortuna, and two of her boys: Paul and David.

Ann Marie is survived by her loving husband of almost 62 years, Joseph Conticchio, of Colonia; her children: Joseph Conticchio, and his wife Dena, of Lanoka Harbor, Annmarie Bizub, and her husband Billy, of Cranford, and Luke Conticchio of Colonia; and her three treasured grandchildren: Carly, Joseph and Jack

A Viewing will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Costello-Runyon Funeral Home in Iselin, NJ ending with a short Prayer Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks loved ones to donate to Alzheimer's Foundation of America https://alzfdn.org/donate/ in Ann Marie's memory.