Nancy Simonetti

Nancy Simonetti passed away peacefully, and surrounded by her children, on August 5, 2025, at her home in Middletown, NJ. She was a loving wife, mother, and Nana (grandmother and great-grandmother). In her 102 years, she was a kind and bright light to many friends and strangers who were lucky enough to cross her path.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Pasquale Simonetti, her son-in-law William Nurthen II, her brother Philip Genovese, and her stepsister Marie Esposito. She is survived by her children Donna Nurthen, Philip (Diane) Simonetti, Patrice Simonetti, and Joseph Simonetti; her grandchildren William (Jennifer) Nurthen III, Ann (John) Harlow, Nancy (Jenelle) Nurthen, Kara (Parker) Gibson, Kathleen (Scott) Strongarone, Jeanne (Kevin) Jones, Patrick Nurthen, Alexandra (Rich) Ingordo, and JR (Jamie) Klagues; and her great-grandchildren Emma Knight, Caroline Harlow, Lily Nurthen, Jack Harlow, Julia Nurthen, Matt Harlow, William Nurthen IV, Paul Nurthen, Grace Gibson, Lucy Jones, Wyatt Gibson, Haley Jones, Mila Strongarone, Miriam Nurthen, Charlie Ingordo, Brendan Jones, Elizabeth Ingordo, Michael Nurthen, and Adora Klagues.

Nancy was born in Ozone Park, New York. She attended Marymount High School and in 1945, she graduated from Marymount College in Tarrytown, NY, with a BA in French. She did advanced studies at Laval University, Quebec, and Fordham University in NY. Deeply devoted to her faith, she was a long-time parishioner of St. Agnes Church in Atlantic Highlands NJ, where she was a member of the St. Jude's Guild and the Altar and Rosary Society. She would go on to teach for 30 years at St. Agnes School, most of those years teaching Kindergarten. She also taught CCD at St. Agnes Parish as well as St. Michael's Church in West End, NJ. She introduced many generations to the wonder of education and faith and is fondly remembered by her former students.

Her greatest passion was her family. She was a true matriarch, caring for and supporting her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in every endeavor and challenge, and celebrating their successes. Her Sunday family dinners and holiday dinners were legendary. Full of conversation, laughter, and incredible food - everyone was welcome and nobody ever left hungry. She was always there for each of us, sometimes despite great distance, and there was no problem that she could not help talk through. Sometimes, just hearing her voice was enough. A guiding light of grace, humility, kindness, and unconditional love, her presence will be deeply missed.

The family would like to thank the following team of doctors for their excellent medical care: Dr. Sarah Morris, Dr. Jeffrey Daniels, Dr. Jeffrey Selan, Dr. Joseph DiFazio, Dr. Ronald Kristan, and Dr. David LaPorta. Additionally, Nancy's family expresses their deep gratitude to neighbor and friend Irene Monroe, night aide Mellisa Gay-Gibbs, and the team at Holisticare Hospice for their dedicated support and loving care. A special thank you to Father Al Tamayo and the priests and brothers of the Red Bank Oratory as well for tending to her spiritual needs.
Visitation will be held at Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 on Friday August 8 th, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 124 Chestnut Street, Red Bank, NJ 07701 on Friday, August 8th at 11AM. Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Nancy's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers.