Erina Gaiotti Balestracci, passed away peacefully at The Willows, Holmdel, NJ on March 17, 2019. She was 97 years old. Erina was born in 1921 in Farra di Soligo, Treviso, Italy. As a child her family immigrated to France and then to Malmedy, Belgium where her parents were proprietor of Café de etoile d’or, hotel …
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Erina Gaiotti Balestracci, passed away peacefully at The Willows, Holmdel, NJ on March 17, 2019. She was 97 years old.
Erina was born in 1921 in Farra di Soligo, Treviso, Italy. As a child her family immigrated to France and then to Malmedy, Belgium where her parents were proprietor of Café de etoile d’or, hotel and café, and where she spent most of her life before coming to the U.S. During WWII she met and married her U.S. soldier, Alfred Balestracci in September 1945. As a war bride Erina immigrated to the U.S. via the liberty ship USS George W. Goethals, arriving in May 1946. She was a homemaker devoted to her family, home and her hobby, sewing. She was a master seamstress, making beautiful clothes for her five daughters and herself. She was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club for war brides in Long Branch, where club members would have yearly fashion shows displaying their creations. She was a long-time parishioner at the Church of Saint Catharine, Holmdel, NJ and was also a member of the church weekly rosary group. She was fluent in four languages and taught herself perfect English by reading the Readers Digest. She was a devoted wife and mother and was always there for her family. She will be forever missed.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Alfred of 71 years, and her parents Umberto Gaiotti and Rosalia Zilli Gaiotti, sisters Olga Gaiotti Lemaire, Malmedy, Belgium and Irma Gaiotti, Liege, Belgium.
Surviving are her five children: Diana, North Brunswick, Patricia and her husband Felix, Keyport, Annette, Long Branch, Theresa and her husband Wayne, Keyport, Rosanne and her husband Kevin, Perth Amboy, granddaughters Gabrielle and Claudia, Keyport, and nephews Philippe and his wife Gisele, Belgium, Andre and his wife Isabel, France and Jean-Jacques, Belgium.
Visitation is on Wednesday, March 20th, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733. Mass of Christian Burial, Thursday, March 21st at 9:15 a.m. at Church of Saint Catharine, 108 Middletown Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733. Entombment immediately following the mass at Holmdel Cemetery & Mausoleum, 900 Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Erina’s name to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, stjude.org or Visiting Nurse Association of Monmouth County, 23 Main Street, Holmdel, NJ 07733, vnahg.org/ways-to-give.
To leave a message of condolence or to share a memory of Erina, please visit her page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.
Teasha
left a message on May 12, 2019:
Mommy,
Today is Mother's Day and the first time in 64 years I am without you. It is a very sad day. I hope you are resting in peace and love with dad and all of the family and friends who went before you. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and dad and miss you ever so much. Nothing is the same without you both in my life. Remembering you today on Mother's Day and always, with lots of love,
Your daughter,
Teasha
Kevin Johnson
left a message on March 24, 2019:
My beloved mother in law, I will miss you both.
No man could ever hope to have better in laws. Always positive, outstanding examples of living a Christian life.
You treated me like a son and I'm eternally grateful.
Until we meet again,
Kevin
Mercedes Maldonado
left a message on March 22, 2019:
My deepest sympathy to the entire family for your loss. May our loving Father give the entire family sustenance and strength you need to continue cope with the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in your precious memories and love shared. May the words of Matthew 5:4 “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” bring the entire family comfort and strength. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Joanne
left a message on March 22, 2019:
God bless you always,Mrs Balestracci. As I remember you, I think of a young vibrant mom taking care of 5 beautiful daughters! Your "Little Women", always dressed beautifully and very happy in the home you made for them. As a friend of Teasha, I also learned of you, through her, the importance of prayer, service, enjoying the fine things life had to offer, and most importantly, the respect for family! Even though I have not seen you in many years, we never forget those who have left such a positive impact on us growing up. For that I thank you -
May you rest in peace with our good Lord and with all of your deceased loved ones.
Felix DeTrolio
left a message on March 22, 2019:
She is gone now, at least in this life, this time. And there is no changing that. But through it all she has remained a part of the very earth that spawned her. The few doings of her life that have been recorded are only those necessitated by law. And her life, a life that has spanned an era of many of mans greatest advances, has never dented or even scratched the pages of history. And that does not matter because her husband loved her, her children loved her, and that is eternal.
But, as is the fate of all of us, she has slipped into the great anonymous masses that the world ignores. She, like all of us, will become forgotten sooner than she should, a memory slipped into the infrequent remembrances squeezed between the business of daily survival - recalling the past only when old photos, or other missing relatives are called to mind. Her grave will bear a marker to testify for her having been here and in due time will no longer be visited because the visitors will someday also be gone.
But she is not alone, she does not need the marker, she resides with He who has created her and those who have come before her and borne the same yoke. And she is not the least bit troubled by this because as she watches the scurrying for the newest cars and the largest homes, she smiles, she knows that when the time comes for each to depart, the legacy they leave will be, in the eyes of God, equal to the good they have done.
As I think of her, I wonder about the chain of time. Is it forged from links of steel or links of tears. Maybe it isn’t forged at all, maybe it is just a circle, unending, unbound.
But whatever it is, I do know, in the deepest recess of my too violent soul, she lives, now, and always, as the mother, Erina
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Patricia DeTrolio
left a message on March 21, 2019:
Ma, today we laid you to rest and you are now with dad. The church mass was beautiful and even the rainy weather was sent from Malmedy. My heart is broken and life will never be the same without you and dad in my life. Thank you for being such a good mom. I will love you and dad my whole life. God speed. Teasha
Melanie Wang
left a message on March 21, 2019:
A candle was lit by Melanie Wang on 2019/03/21
Giorgio Pozzi
left a message on March 20, 2019:
We will never forget you Rina
We will never forget your smile and kindness, your the elegance and your big heart.
You will be in our prayers
Fam. Pozzi
Macaire Osmont
left a message on March 20, 2019:
I had the honor and joy of helping care for Erina at the Willows in Holmdel. She stood out in a number of ways, the most endearing being her humility and gratitude.
There wasn't a time, even as she declined, that she didn't say "Thank you" for any help or kindness she received. I never heard her say a harsh word. She had a sense of humor, and was fond of saying (as she blew her nose), "I had to come to America to get hayfever!" Erina entertained me with stories of her job playing the accordion at her family's cafe in Belgium, where one night, as she played, she watched an American soldier dance the jitterbug. She had never seen anything like it before, and said he was like a "skinny piece of wire, twisting and bending" to the music. She must have gotten bitten by the "American bug", because she soon met and married her own soldier, and the rest is history.
Another story Erina often told, when asked about her family, was that she had five girls, and that her husband referred to them as his "5 million dollars - his true treasure. What a beautiful life.
Thank you, Erina, for allowing me to pray with you and be part of your journey into the arms of Christ. You were grateful, and faithful, to the end.
Philippe Lemaire
left a message on March 19, 2019:
We recommend her for your prayers and wish her eternal rest with her husband, her parents, her sisters and all those she loved. Many people in our little town of Malmedy were still asking us for news. More than 70 years after leaving Europe, she remained very popular. "Tante" Rina, play for God and everyone up there an air of accordion ! We will send you the recipe of Belgian waffles and our delicious chocolates that you loved so much !
Philippe, Gisèle, Bernard, Raphaël
Patricia DeTrolio
left a message on March 19, 2019:
Mommy, you were the light of our family and will always be cherished. You are my mom and your memory will always live on with me. I will think of you now, as I do think about dad everyday, but the difference is knowing you are now reunited with one another and happy again. Losing you is a bit easier to accept because I know that is where you wanted to be. You were the driving force in our home and always took care of everything that everyone needed. Maybe now you can laugh on how we used to play "look" at the dinner table, and you would get so mad because you wanted us to have proper table manners. Well that eventually happened as we grew older, and now I think you are proud of what you nurtured. I hope you and dad are now in a warm embrace. I know for him he must have been impatient waiting for you. There was never a better mom. Know you will always be in my heart forever. Until we are all together again. Love and forever kisses, Teasha
Emily
left a message on March 19, 2019:
I’m so sorry for your loss. Remember the amazing hope our Grand Creator ( Jehovah) has provided for us found in His words at Acts 24: 15. With my sincere and deepest condolences.
Nina yacavino
left a message on March 19, 2019:
Our hearts and prayers are with you all Girls.You were the most devoted daughters. May God Bless her soul.
Love Always,
Maria, Nina and family
Carol Visceglia
left a message on March 19, 2019:
My Aunt Rina...one of God's loveliest creations. I will never forget her smile, the love she put into everything she did, and the very special way she made me feel all through my life. Remembering her spirit, the music she made, and of course, her accent! She was a blessing!
Annette Balestracci
left a message on March 18, 2019:
Miss you already! I knew this day would come and can't imagine my life without you in it. You will always be in my heart and thoughts and live on through the many memories I will always cherish! With love ALWAYS...daughter #3.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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Teasha
left a message on May 12, 2019:
Mommy,
Today is Mother's Day and the first time in 64 years I am without you. It is a very sad day. I hope you are resting in peace and love with dad and all of the family and friends who went before you. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you and dad and miss you ever so much. Nothing is the same without you both in my life. Remembering you today on Mother's Day and always, with lots of love,
Your daughter,
Teasha
Kevin Johnson
left a message on March 24, 2019:
My beloved mother in law, I will miss you both.
No man could ever hope to have better in laws. Always positive, outstanding examples of living a Christian life.
You treated me like a son and I'm eternally grateful.
Until we meet again,
Kevin
Mercedes Maldonado
left a message on March 22, 2019:
My deepest sympathy to the entire family for your loss. May our loving Father give the entire family sustenance and strength you need to continue cope with the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in your precious memories and love shared. May the words of Matthew 5:4 “ Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” bring the entire family comfort and strength. Please accept my sincere condolences.
Joanne
left a message on March 22, 2019:
God bless you always,Mrs Balestracci. As I remember you, I think of a young vibrant mom taking care of 5 beautiful daughters! Your "Little Women", always dressed beautifully and very happy in the home you made for them. As a friend of Teasha, I also learned of you, through her, the importance of prayer, service, enjoying the fine things life had to offer, and most importantly, the respect for family! Even though I have not seen you in many years, we never forget those who have left such a positive impact on us growing up. For that I thank you -
May you rest in peace with our good Lord and with all of your deceased loved ones.
Felix DeTrolio
left a message on March 22, 2019:
She is gone now, at least in this life, this time. And there is no changing that. But through it all she has remained a part of the very earth that spawned her. The few doings of her life that have been recorded are only those necessitated by law. And her life, a life that has spanned an era of many of mans greatest advances, has never dented or even scratched the pages of history. And that does not matter because her husband loved her, her children loved her, and that is eternal.
But, as is the fate of all of us, she has slipped into the great anonymous masses that the world ignores. She, like all of us, will become forgotten sooner than she should, a memory slipped into the infrequent remembrances squeezed between the business of daily survival - recalling the past only when old photos, or other missing relatives are called to mind. Her grave will bear a marker to testify for her having been here and in due time will no longer be visited because the visitors will someday also be gone.
But she is not alone, she does not need the marker, she resides with He who has created her and those who have come before her and borne the same yoke. And she is not the least bit troubled by this because as she watches the scurrying for the newest cars and the largest homes, she smiles, she knows that when the time comes for each to depart, the legacy they leave will be, in the eyes of God, equal to the good they have done.
As I think of her, I wonder about the chain of time. Is it forged from links of steel or links of tears. Maybe it isn’t forged at all, maybe it is just a circle, unending, unbound.
But whatever it is, I do know, in the deepest recess of my too violent soul, she lives, now, and always, as the mother, Erina
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Patricia DeTrolio
left a message on March 21, 2019:
Ma, today we laid you to rest and you are now with dad. The church mass was beautiful and even the rainy weather was sent from Malmedy. My heart is broken and life will never be the same without you and dad in my life. Thank you for being such a good mom. I will love you and dad my whole life. God speed. Teasha
Melanie Wang
left a message on March 21, 2019:
A candle was lit by Melanie Wang on 2019/03/21
Giorgio Pozzi
left a message on March 20, 2019:
We will never forget you Rina
We will never forget your smile and kindness, your the elegance and your big heart.
You will be in our prayers
Fam. Pozzi
Macaire Osmont
left a message on March 20, 2019:
I had the honor and joy of helping care for Erina at the Willows in Holmdel. She stood out in a number of ways, the most endearing being her humility and gratitude.
There wasn't a time, even as she declined, that she didn't say "Thank you" for any help or kindness she received. I never heard her say a harsh word. She had a sense of humor, and was fond of saying (as she blew her nose), "I had to come to America to get hayfever!" Erina entertained me with stories of her job playing the accordion at her family's cafe in Belgium, where one night, as she played, she watched an American soldier dance the jitterbug. She had never seen anything like it before, and said he was like a "skinny piece of wire, twisting and bending" to the music. She must have gotten bitten by the "American bug", because she soon met and married her own soldier, and the rest is history.
Another story Erina often told, when asked about her family, was that she had five girls, and that her husband referred to them as his "5 million dollars - his true treasure. What a beautiful life.
Thank you, Erina, for allowing me to pray with you and be part of your journey into the arms of Christ. You were grateful, and faithful, to the end.
Philippe Lemaire
left a message on March 19, 2019:
We recommend her for your prayers and wish her eternal rest with her husband, her parents, her sisters and all those she loved. Many people in our little town of Malmedy were still asking us for news. More than 70 years after leaving Europe, she remained very popular. "Tante" Rina, play for God and everyone up there an air of accordion ! We will send you the recipe of Belgian waffles and our delicious chocolates that you loved so much !
Philippe, Gisèle, Bernard, Raphaël
Patricia DeTrolio
left a message on March 19, 2019:
Mommy, you were the light of our family and will always be cherished. You are my mom and your memory will always live on with me. I will think of you now, as I do think about dad everyday, but the difference is knowing you are now reunited with one another and happy again. Losing you is a bit easier to accept because I know that is where you wanted to be. You were the driving force in our home and always took care of everything that everyone needed. Maybe now you can laugh on how we used to play "look" at the dinner table, and you would get so mad because you wanted us to have proper table manners. Well that eventually happened as we grew older, and now I think you are proud of what you nurtured. I hope you and dad are now in a warm embrace. I know for him he must have been impatient waiting for you. There was never a better mom. Know you will always be in my heart forever. Until we are all together again. Love and forever kisses, Teasha
Emily
left a message on March 19, 2019:
I’m so sorry for your loss. Remember the amazing hope our Grand Creator ( Jehovah) has provided for us found in His words at Acts 24: 15. With my sincere and deepest condolences.
Nina yacavino
left a message on March 19, 2019:
Our hearts and prayers are with you all Girls.You were the most devoted daughters. May God Bless her soul.
Love Always,
Maria, Nina and family
Carol Visceglia
left a message on March 19, 2019:
My Aunt Rina...one of God's loveliest creations. I will never forget her smile, the love she put into everything she did, and the very special way she made me feel all through my life. Remembering her spirit, the music she made, and of course, her accent! She was a blessing!
Annette Balestracci
left a message on March 18, 2019:
Miss you already! I knew this day would come and can't imagine my life without you in it. You will always be in my heart and thoughts and live on through the many memories I will always cherish! With love ALWAYS...daughter #3.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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