Red Bank native and Citarella’s Market owner Maria DiFiore Citarella passed away on Feb. 28 at her daughter’s home, surrounded by family, after an “extraordinary four-year battle with lung cancer.” She was 84.

“Maria was devoted to her family. She loved cooking for them, her friends and for hundreds of others at her and Andrew’s family business, Citarella’s Market.
She loved dancing, technology, throwing parties, pool days and Florida visits from her grandchildren! In her 40s she took up golf (after her husband bet a friend that she could beat his wife) and found she loved even more than going to casinos, with better results. She was in women’s golf leagues, serving as president, had a hole in one and was a club champion at Old Orchard Country Club.
She was sweet, determined, hardworking, kind, spunky, loads of fun and loved by everyone who knew her. She was the mother everyone wished they had, welcoming all her children and grandchildren’s friends.

Loved ones of Maria DiFiore Citarella in her obituary

A Red Bank native, Maria, who later lived in Florida, was predeceased by: her parents, Laurence and Angela DiFiore; her brother, Larry DiFiore; and the love of her life, husband, Andrew Citarella.

She is survived by: her devoted daughter, Angela (Nelson) and husband Tony Liberatore, of Little Silver; her loving sons, Ralph Citarella and wife Jeanne, of Howell, and Andrew Citarella, of Eatontown; her grandchildren, “the joys of her life,” Maria Pollard and husband Lee, Jennifer Nelson, Christina Friscia and husband Thomas and Julia Nelson and fiancé Lindsay Martorana; and the five sweethearts that gave her the fortitude to keep going, great-grandchildren Wesley, Lucia, Cecilia Pollard and Claira and Thomas Friscia.

Visitation will be on Thursday March 3, from 4 to 8 p.m. at John E. Day Funeral Home, Red Bank. Funeral services will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4, at St. Anthony’s Church, Red Bank. Donations can be made in Maria’s name to St. Jude Hospital, Save the Children or Glioblastoma Foundation.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via John E. Day Funeral Home

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