Egidia Barbetta

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved mother Egidia (Pancera) Barbetta.
Egidia (Gigi to many, Eggie to others) is survived by her husband of 9 years, Ralph DeShan, her children, Michael (Kathy) Barbetta, Joan Brown (William), and John Barbetta, her grandchildren William Brown Jr., Jacqueline DellaVecchio, Dr. Elizabeth Barbetta, and Thomas Barbetta, her brother Antonio Pancera (Federica), her sister Enrica Pierce (Harry), as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends in both the USA and Italy. Egidia was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years, Eugene Barbetta.
Growing up in Castelnuovo del Garda, Italy, the Lake Garda region was incredibly dear to her, and this love was passed on to her children and grandchildren. Mom was very proud of her Italian heritage and the accomplishments of her father, cycling champion Giuseppe Pancera and her mother Bianca (Centurioni). She enjoyed speaking Italian, and would make us all smile when she asked anyone she met "Do you speak Italian??"
Mom was trained as an accountant, and she worked for the U.S. Army base in Verona, Italy, which is where she met our dad. After marrying, Egidia and Eugene lived in Philadelphia, raising 3 children there before moving to Leisuretowne in their retirement years. Mom was always very active, and she enjoyed playing volleyball on a team in Mayfair and with her family/friends, as well as swimming, walking and cycling. She nurtured her love for art later in life as a painter, and she also taught Italian to her neighbors in Liesuretowne. The Catholic Church played an important role in mom's life, and her religion brought her much comfort. She especially enjoyed singing in church, and you could oftentimes hear her voice raised above all others in song! Our mom loved her family very much, as well as Pinocchio, beanie babies, her flowers and herbs, visiting Italy, Elvis, the Beatles, and classical opera, especially Verdi and Puccini. She will remain in our hearts forever.
A viewing will be held on Monday, March 24th from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM immediately followed by Mass of the Christian burial, both at the Church of the Holy Eucharist, 520 Medford Lakes Road, Tabernacle, NJ. Interment will follow at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Egidia's name may be made to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation at