Phyllis “Nuccia” and “Nonna” DiBenedetto, 75, of Ocean, passed away peacefully Dec. 19. Born Jan. 15, 1945 in Rutigliano, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Rosa Angiuli. She came to the United States in 1958 at age 13 and lived in Red Bank. She graduated from Red Bank Regional High School in 1964; she met and married her beloved husband, Raffaele (Ralph) that same year. They spent 54 wonderful years together in Ocean and Boynton Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed playing bocce and cards, organizing events in their community and spending time with friends and family.
She was incredibly devoted to her husband who passed in 2019. Phyllis also worked as a federal government employee at Fort Monmouth for about 20 years, with her sister Pina. Phyllis is survived by her loving children Joseph DiBenedetto and Rosemary (John) Queenan; grandchildren Andrew and Amanda DiBenedetto and Jack and Maya Queenan; her brother Frank and sisters Antonietta, Lina and Josephine (Pina). She was predeceased by her sisters Maria (2011) and Tina (2020). Nothing made her happier than cooking for and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was incredibly proud of them, which she told them every day.
A private visitation was held Dec. 23 for immediate family at the John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. A Catholic Mass followed at St. Mary’s Church in Deal, with interment immediately following at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.
Phyllis’s family would appreciate donations in her name to the American Cancer Society.
The article originally appeared in the December 24 – 30, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
