Kimberly Ann Castelli

On December 10th, 2025, Kimberly Castelli died peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones. She fought valiantly against her diagnosis of metastatic colon cancer for over a year, clinging to her faith in Jesus and inspiring all around her. In the midst of her pain and struggles, Kim's final goals were to "find joy" in life and "celebrate the miracle" of her baby girl.

Kimberly Ann Ramos was born on June 18, 1985 in Staten Island, NY, the oldest child of parents Joseph and Joan (nee Morello). After spending Kim's early years in New York, the family moved to Montclair, NJ, where Kim and her two younger brothers attended St. Cassian School and, later, St. Catherine of Siena School in Cedar Grove. Kim attended Lacordaire Academy ('03) for high school, where she made dear friends that followed her well into adulthood.

It was one of these friends that would eventually lead Kim to her husband, Brian, through an exciting, less-than-picturesque first encounter at Tierney's in Montclair. After a redo first impression via a Sunday morning breakfast date at Coach House Diner in North Bergen, the two began a beautiful romance, remaining strong through Brian's deployment to Afghanistan as an Army Ranger and staying in touch via phone calls, letters, and packages of freshly baked cookies. The two got engaged on top of the Empire State Building in 2012, days after Hurricane Sandy, and married on September 14, 2013. They welcomed their first two daughters, Olivia and Juliette, while living in North Bergen. In 2018, the family of four moved into their forever home in Ridgewood, where many family barbecues, birthday parties, and holiday celebrations were hosted. Kim and Brian's third daughter, Diana, was born in 2021, a bright spot of the COVID-19 lockdowns. The Castellis found a warm spiritual home in their new parish, St. Catharine's of Glen Rock, and enrolled their daughters at its school, Academy of Our Lady, where they continue to flourish.

God entrusted Kim and Brian with a fourth soul in the summer of 2024, when Kim learned she was pregnant. The joy and excitement of this sweet surprise was soon followed by several weeks of tests, scans, and appointments that eventually confirmed Kim's diagnosis. Kim's unwavering Catholic faith and belief in God's plan gave her the courage to begin treatment while pregnant with her baby girl, Catherine Gianna, who arrived early and healthy in February 2025. Navigating postpartum, treatments, and busy life as a family of six was not simple, but Kim and Brian managed it all with grace, strength, and love for their daughters. Kim's final days were spent at home, with her family enveloping her in gentle comfort and honoring the unwavering connections she cultivated as the "glue" of their relationships.

Throughout her career as a young grad turned working mom, Kim excelled professionally. She briefly attended Rutgers University before transferring to Felician College, graduating with her Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. Kim would later go on to earn her MSN in Clinical Nurse Leadership from Hunter College. Kim was a natural, gifted nurse who thrived in the variety of roles she held, including positions at Sloan Kettering in New York City, NYU Langone Medical Center, and, most recently, Glen Rock Public School District. Her care, compassion, and leadership earned the respect of her coworkers and patients alike.

Kim is predeceased by her beloved mother, Joan Morello Ramos, who died tragically from multiple myeloma in 1991. She is also preceded in death by her grandparents, Nicholas and Viola Morello, and her grandfather, Edward Ramos. She is survived by her greatest love and husband of 12 years, Brian, and their four daughters: Olivia Joan (10), Juliette Elizabeth (7), Diana Marie (4), and Catherine Gianna (10 months). Her memory is also cherished by her father, Dr. Joseph Ramos (and wife Lisa) and her siblings: Christopher Ramos, Bryan Ramos (and wife Lucy), Gabrielle Avila (and husband Brendan), and Brooke Billig (and husband Ben). Kim leaves on Earth her grandmother, Carmen Ramos; her in-laws, who treated her as their own daughter and sister; and a wide circle of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends.

The Castelli and Ramos families will receive friends on Monday, December, 15, 2025 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December, 16, 2025 10:00am at St. Catharine's RC Church, 905 Maple Ave, Glen Rock, NJ 07452. Entombment to follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kim's Legacy: Supporting students at Academy of Our Lady. Kim was a woman of deep faith, quiet strength, and extraordinary kindness. She had a special heart for children and believed strongly in the power of Catholic education to shape not only minds, but souls. Creating this scholarship is a way to carry forward her spirit of generosity and her commitment to helping others, especially those who need it most. All donations will go toward a general scholarship fund at the Academy of Our Lady, helping ensure that children in need can receive a Catholic education rooted in faith, compassion, and community.