Bertodatti, Maureen Elizabeth, Age: 74, Colts Neck

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Maureen Elizabeth Bertodatti, 74, of Colts Neck, our mother, nana, sister, wife, aunt, niece, and friend, slipped into eternity just after sunrise Sept. 1. She wanted to let you all know that she had an absolutely wonderful life!

Maureen Shaw was born and grew up in Kearny as the second of five beloved siblings (Dianne, Maureen, Bob, Ken and Peggy) to Sumner and Margaret Shaw. Maureen graduated from St. Aloysius High School before studying and becoming a nurse at St. Francis School of Nursing. She started working at Flower 5th Ave. Hospital in New York City as an operating room nurse and later began working at Creedmoor Hospital where she met, dated and eventually married her co-worker, Richard Charles Bertodatti Sr.

Maureen and Richard had four children (Jennifer, Jill, Jodi and Richard Jr.) whom they adored and, after a series of moving adventures, eventually settled on a gentleman’s horse farm in Colts Neck in 1976. Once settled in Colts Neck, Maureen started working as a Realtor at Gloria Nilson of Holmdel where she worked for the last 42 years. She loved her co-workers as well as finding the perfect homes for her clients who often became lifelong friends.

Maureen loved gardening and could make any property look like Versailles. She loved the time spent with family and friends anywhere, but especially at Monmouth Beach Bathing Pavilion. She loved the feel of the sand between her toes and swimming in the big waves in the sunshine. Maureen absolutely “sparkled.” She had an amazing smile, a twinkle in her eye and the BEST laugh; she was effortlessly beautiful, amazingly cool, whip-smart, super fun and so very kind. She took the phrase that P.T. Barnum once said and lived it every day: “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” She made everyone happy and would drop anything she was doing to help you.

Maureen is predeceased by her parents Margaret and Sumner Shaw, her husband of 41 years Richard Bertodatti Sr., and her grandson Alexander Bertodatti.

Maureen is survived by her husband Donald Nowacki of Colts Neck; her daughter Jennifer and Matthew Jensen of Long Branch and their three daughters, Ava, Sophia and Ella; her daughter Jill Condon of Colts Neck and her three sons, Kevin Jr., Brooks and Christian, and their father Kevin Condon of Fair Haven; her daughter Jodi Foster of Point Pleasant Beach and her three daughters Emily, Katie and Molly; and her son Richard and Risa Bertodatti of Fair Haven and their three children, Charlie, Mia and Henry.

Maureen cherished her family and friends and, above all, her 13 grandchildren – and they knew it!

Visitation was held Sept. 4 at the Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated Sept. 5 at St. Mary’s Church, Colts Neck. Interment followed at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery, Marlboro.

On behalf of Maureen, please consider/sign up for organ donation in lieu of flowers…but don’t ever forget to stop and smell them!