Jelsia C. Cortese

Jelsia C. Cortese, 92 of Belleville, passed away on Monday June 30, 2025. Born and raised in Newark, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Josephine (Spatola) Caprio. Mrs. Cortese resided in Belleville for 63 years and was a dedicated schoolteacher and librarian. She taught for the Belleville Board of Education at Number 7 School, retiring after 26 years, but continued to educate as a substitute teacher at Yantacaw School in Nutley as well as private tutoring for many years. Jelsia was active in various community, church and education organizations. She was a CCD teacher at Holy Family in Nutley, a member of the Clara Maass Medical Center Auxiliary and the Red Hat Society. Also known for her cooking and her love of reading.
She is survived by her sons, Anthony Cortese and Edward Cortese, his wife Maryann, her grandchildren, Edward, Cara and her husband Thomas and Victoria and her husband Vincent, along with 10 great grandchildren. She was also the dear sister of Grace Rotondo and Dolores Blaine.
Visitors will be received at the S.W. Brown & Son Funeral Home, 267 Centre St. Nutley on Wednesday July 2, 2025 from 2-4 & 7-9 pm and on Thursday July 3 from 10-10:30 at Agape Worship Center 37 West St. Bloomfield. The Funeral Service will begin at 10:30 am at the church followed burial at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Society for Deaf Children. (deafchildren.org )