Carmela “Millie” DeCotiis, born Jan. 4, 1933, passed away Nov. 29, 2025.
Trailblazing as a CPA in the 1960s was only the beginning of how Millie set the course for her nearly 93-year journey.
After graduating with an accounting degree from St. John’s University, she traveled internationally independently and immersed herself as a single young professional in New York City before marrying Horace “Duke” DeCotiis in 1964. Together, they built a life based on commitment to family and their Italian heritage.
They moved from Brooklyn to Holmdel, where they raised their family. Millie did much to support the Holmdel community, not the least of which was teaching CCD at the Church of St. Catharine for decades.
Millie is survived by her two sons, Christopher and Mark, for whom her pride knew no end, and their wives – her “daughters” – Tricia and Michelle. Her true loves, however, in her more recent years, were her grandchildren, Marina, Gabrielle and Anthony. She is also survived by her two sisters, Betty and Aurora, her brother-in-law Joe, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends, all of whom she cared for deeply.
They raise their Cosmos to her and wish her an eternity of love and happiness with reunited loved ones.
A memorial Mass was held Dec. 5 at Church of St. Catharine, Holmdel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Calico Cat Thrift Shop in Middletown, where Millie was a volunteer for many years.
The article originally appeared in the December 11 – 17, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
