Janet Monello

Janet Monello, age 101, of Hawthorne, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 29, 2025. Born and raised in Paterson to Amelia and George Baskinger, immigrant parents from Aleppo, Syria, she was the seventh of eight children. Being part of a large and loving family, Janet worked alongside her father in the family owned grocery business. It was while working there, she met and eventually wed Ben Monello, her loving husband of 52 years. After living in Paterson and Clifton for many years, Janet and Ben purchased their home in Hawthorne where she has resided.
Janet's love of cooking, especially the Syrian specialties handed down from her mother and the Italian favorites from Ben's family, along with her love of travelling kept her busy all these years.
Janet was the beloved wife of the late Biaggio "Ben" Monello who passed away in 2009. She was also predeceased by her four brothers, Harvey, Samuel, Michael and Joseph, and her three sisters, Mary Alice and Rose Rohart. Janet is survived by 22 Nieces and Nephews, 36 Great Nieces and Nephews, 42 Great-Great Nieces and Nephews, 8 Great-Great-Great Nieces and Nephews. She was a loving wife, sister and aunt, and was known for her generosity, enormous heart, and spirited personality.
Janet's love of family was evident in how much time she spent with them and how her family loved spending time with her. She will be dearly missed by nieces, nephews and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne. Interment will follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Totowa. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6-8pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN 38105.