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September 25, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held 9 AM on Friday, October 2, 2026 from the funeral home then to Saint Marys Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes where a 10 AM Funeral Mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Magnificat Cemetery, 2 Miller Road, Kinnelon.
Jessie Scelsa
Age 88, of Bloomingdale and most recently of the Cedar Crest Community, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family.
Jessie was born on November 14, 1937, in Italy, to Sebastiano and Giovanna (Jennie) Cassisi. At the age of nine, she immigrated to America in time to begin her elementary education. After completing grammar school at St. Francis in Haskell, she attended Butler High School, where she participated in the Business Service Club, was a member of the National Honor Society, and typed materials for the school faculty. She graduated in 1957. Jessie continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, New Jersey, on a scholarship and earned an associate degree in 1959.
Following graduation, she was hired as a bookkeeper at Witco Chemical and later worked as an office manager and bookkeeper at Kernco, Comfort Control Systems, and Verona Supply. Jessie volunteered at her children’s grammar school, St. Anthony’s in Butler, where she helped establish and served as the first president of the Home and School Association. She was also a member of St. Anthony’s Columbiettes Council 943 in Butler and organized the annual fashion shows for both organizations for several years.
Jessie enjoyed sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family. She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved, with a full dinner table where everyone was always welcome. She was especially known for the pasta and meatballs she served every Tuesday at the family home in Bloomingdale. Her kitchen was always open, and a frequent greeting was, “Sit, did you eat? What can I get you?”
Jessie met her husband, Frank, on a blind date while living in Rutherford. After several proposals, she agreed to marry him. The couple wed in 1961 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Haskell, New Jersey, and shared a loving marriage until Frank’s passing in 2004.
She was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Her deep Christian faith was a central part of her life, providing strength, comfort, and guidance through the years. She frequently turned to Padre Pio and the Blessed Mother. Jessie was a pillar of strength who always carried herself with a gentle, loving manner.
In 1976, Jessie and Frank purchased a summer home in Surf City on Long Beach Island. There they enjoyed time with neighbors, evenings at the Surf City Hotel listening to Leroy play the organ, day trips, and dinners with close friends.
Jessie’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children: Terry and her husband Joe of Bloomingdale; Mary and her husband Michael of Long Valley; and John and his wife Marianne of Mountain Lakes. She showered unconditional love on her grandchildren—Christine and her husband Kareem, Bryan, Gabby and her fiancé Chatham, Sarah, and John—and her two great-grandsons, Bryce and Sebastian. Through her children and grandchildren, her legacy, family traditions, and many recipes will continue.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jessie’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s New Jersey, the Kaleidoscope Dementia Resource Center, or the Pequannock Volunteer First Aid Squad.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held 9 AM on Friday, October 2, 2026 from the funeral home then to Saint Marys Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes where a 10 AM Funeral Mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Magnificat Cemetery, 2 Miller Road, Kinnelon.
September 26, 2026
September 25, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, October 1, 2026 from 4-8 PM at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Funeral services will be held 9 AM on Friday, October 2, 2026 from the funeral home then to Saint Marys Church, 17 Pompton Ave., Pompton Lakes where a 10 AM Funeral Mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Magnificat Cemetery, 2 Miller Road, Kinnelon.
Jessie Scelsa
Age 88, of Bloomingdale and most recently of the Cedar Crest Community, passed away on Friday, September 25, 2026, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family.
Jessie was born on November 14, 1937, in Italy, to Sebastiano and Giovanna (Jennie) Cassisi. At the age of nine, she immigrated to America in time to begin her elementary education. After completing grammar school at St. Francis in Haskell, she attended Butler High School, where she participated in the Business Service Club, was a member of the National Honor Society, and typed materials for the school faculty. She graduated in 1957. Jessie continued her education at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, New Jersey, on a scholarship and earned an associate degree in 1959.
Following graduation, she was hired as a bookkeeper at Witco Chemical and later worked as an office manager and bookkeeper at Kernco, Comfort Control Systems, and Verona Supply. Jessie volunteered at her children’s grammar school, St. Anthony’s in Butler, where she helped establish and served as the first president of the Home and School Association. She was also a member of St. Anthony’s Columbiettes Council 943 in Butler and organized the annual fashion shows for both organizations for several years.
Jessie enjoyed sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family. She was happiest when surrounded by those she loved, with a full dinner table where everyone was always welcome. She was especially known for the pasta and meatballs she served every Tuesday at the family home in Bloomingdale. Her kitchen was always open, and a frequent greeting was, “Sit, did you eat? What can I get you?”
Jessie met her husband, Frank, on a blind date while living in Rutherford. After several proposals, she agreed to marry him. The couple wed in 1961 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Haskell, New Jersey, and shared a loving marriage until Frank’s passing in 2004.
She was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pompton Lakes, New Jersey. Her deep Christian faith was a central part of her life, providing strength, comfort, and guidance through the years. She frequently turned to Padre Pio and the Blessed Mother. Jessie was a pillar of strength who always carried herself with a gentle, loving manner.
In 1976, Jessie and Frank purchased a summer home in Surf City on Long Beach Island. There they enjoyed time with neighbors, evenings at the Surf City Hotel listening to Leroy play the organ, day trips, and dinners with close friends.
Jessie’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children: Terry and her husband Joe of Bloomingdale; Mary and her husband Michael of Long Valley; and John and his wife Marianne of Mountain Lakes. She showered unconditional love on her grandchildren—Christine and her husband Kareem, Bryan, Gabby and her fiancé Chatham, Sarah, and John—and her two great-grandsons, Bryce and Sebastian. Through her children and grandchildren, her legacy, family traditions, and many recipes will continue.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jessie’s memory may be made to Alzheimer’s New Jersey, the Kaleidoscope Dementia Resource Center, or the Pequannock Volunteer First Aid Squad.
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