Michele A. De Giovanni (née Ciampitti), 73, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2017.   She was surrounded by her family. 

Relatives and friends are invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, NJ on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 5 to 8 p.m.  A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Stephen’s Church, Kearny on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m.  Entombment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, NJ.

Born near Frosolone, Italy, Michele immigrated to Newark, New Jersey in 1954. She eventually settled in Kearny, where she lived for 50 years. 

Michele and her late husband Gaetano were married in 1968. They owned and operated Enzo’s Deli in Harrison from 1972 to 1992, and then purchased Linden Deli in Kearny which they operated until 1999. Michele's love for cooking and appreciation for people made the business a neighborhood staple in the community. She subsequently worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Robert Hanlon, where her unconditional kindness and care were on display daily before officially retiring in 2013.

Michele was a devoted Catholic and active in St. Stephen’s Church, where she could be seen visiting daily.  Through the years, Michele belonged to the Rosary Society and volunteered as a CCD Teacher.  It brought her great joy to serve others; even more so when her faith impacted friends and family in such a positive light.  Finally, Michele worked for several years at the Kearny Voting Polls.  She will be remembered for her generosity, compassion, and warmth. 

She is survived by her brother, Dominick Ciampitti; sister, Maria Nibaldi; her six children: Vincent and his wife Susan; Mark and his wife Aggie; Angela and her husband Christopher; John and his wife Anmarie; Michael and his wife Sylvia; and Philomena and her husband Robert; and her eleven beloved grandchildren whom she loved dearly. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Heritage Fund at St. Stephen’s Church.

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