Therese Ann Aniano, formerly of Barnegat and Ramsey, passed away on April 18. She was 85. Born in Jersey City on Oct. 14, 1930 to Joseph and Frances (Ceraolo) Letizia, Therese was the youngest of 11 siblings: John, Mary, Nicholas, Anne, Elizabeth, Josephine, Evelyn, Charles, Edward and Lawrence.

She is survived by her children, John B. Jr. and his wife Debra of Allentown, and Mary Beth and her husband Bill Earley of East Greenbush, NY, as well as by her beloved grandchildren Chris and Samantha Earley.

A graduate of Dickinson High School (Jersey City), Therese married John B. ("Bobbie") Aniano of Brooklyn, NY in 1956. They moved to Ramsey in 1966, where they raised their children in a home filled with classical and jazz music, books, family holiday celebrations, laughter and love. Therese ("Terry") worked for many Bergen County organizations including The Home and Store News, Ramsey Shade Tree Commission, Mario Cammarano Consulting Engineers, Worldwide Converting Machinery, Wyckoff Board of Education, Western Union and Yugo America.

Therese loved music and poetry, gardening, cooking, and caring for her home. She was the Editor of her high school yearbook, and in 1976, won first prize by programming an hour's worth of music played on WNEW-AM. Because of her tremendous strength, she and her children weathered Bobbie's passing at age 47 from cancer. She channeled her energy, wit, and writing talent by serving in the Ramsey Women's Club and on the boards of her Suffern condominium and Pheasant Run (Barnegat) retirement community.

Friends and family are invited to celebrate Therese's life during visiting hours: Friday 6-8 pm and Saturday 11-1 pm at Peppler Funeral Home, 114 Main St., Allentown NJ. Interment in Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011.