Isabel Theresa Tanella

Isabel Theresa Tanella, 74, of Marlboro Township, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Isabel later moved to and laid roots in Staten Island for over 40 years, where she built a beautiful life and raised her family. Isabel devoted her career to nurturing young children as a Pre-K teacher at Our Lady Star of the Sea School on Staten Island, NY, before retiring after almost 30 years of dedication to her students. "Miss Isabel" will always be a legend at that school.
She enjoyed reading, shopping for shopping's sake, but especially for her children and grandchildren, and a hot cup of coffee, whether by herself or shared with friends. Isabel tirelessly worried about others before herself, always looking for new ways to keep her family happy and healthy. Her kindness, love and devotion to her family will be remembered by all who knew her.
Isabel was predeceased by her parents, Emidio and Edith Ponzi, and her brother, Joseph Ponzi. She is survived by her devoted husband, Philip M. Tanella; her daughter and son-in-law, Janine and Steven Kovats of Middletown, NJ; her son and daughter-in-law, Philip L. and Jennifer Tanella of Morganville, NJ; her brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy and Carmel Ponzi of Marlboro, NJ; and her sister-in-law, Lisa Ponzi of Staten Island, NY. She also leaves behind her five cherished grandchildren: Philip S. Tanella, Ryan Kovats, Jenna Kovats, Sloan Tanella, and Hailey Kovats, who brought immense joy to her life.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 PM and 6:00–9:00 PM at the Freeman Manalapan Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North, Manalapan, NJ 07726. A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. Gabriel's Main Church in Marlboro, NJ. Interment will follow at St. Gabriel's Cemetery.
For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family is kindly asking for a donation to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, so we can continue Isabel's lifelong work and legacy of supporting children.