Madeline Cretella of Lincroft NJ and longtime resident of Staten Island NY, passed away Tuesday December 16th surrounded by her loving family.

An artist, Madeline was known for her narrative sculptures depicting family, and personal life struggles that evoke emotion and connection. Her talent extended to painting, jewelry design and decorating. She served as president of the Artist Federation for three years and was invited to exhibit her works in Borough Hall, the Newhouse Gallery, The Art Network, and Salmagundi Gallery. She volunteered her time and talent to the United Cerebral Palsy organization and AIDS Resource Foundation for Children. She was the recipient of many awards for her talent, her chairmanship, and event planning. Madeline imagined unique themes for charitable fundraisers, designed invitations and journals, decorated the event spaces, and created centerpieces. She was recognized for these efforts by being selected the 1990 Woman of Achievement. As a breast cancer survivor, Madeline shared her meditation and creative visualization techniques to help other women on their journey to recovery.

Madeline was married to Ernest Cretella for 64 years. Together they built a business and raised two children. They opened their gracious home to family and friends for holidays, celebrations, and everyday dinners. Madeline was famous for her Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes and her Pocono-home Thanksgiving banquets. Her experiences growing up with her six siblings in South Beach, raising her daughter and son, and sharing activities with grandchildren and great grandchildren inspired her to write colorful and entertaining articles that she shared in local newsletters. Madeline was beloved by all who knew her. She uplifted your spirits, supported your efforts, regaled you with stories that imparted wisdom, and taught you to face the hard times with optimism and determination.

Madeline is predeceased by her husband Ernest; and her siblings Concetta, Anthony, Gerald, Joseph, and Rose.

Madeline is survived by her children Jeannette DiChiara and her husband Thomas, and Frank Cretella and his wife Jeanne; her brother Ronald Mattia; her grandchildren Thomas and his wife Erin, Joseph and his wife Marcella, Jeffrey and his wife Amy, Nicholas and his wife Katie, and Madeline and her husband Anthony; her beloved great grandchildren Julian, Aida, Chace, Nathan, Emilia, and Dashel; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Monday, December 22^nd from 3:00-7:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd, Holmdel NJ 07733. A mass of Christian burial will be offered on Tuesday, December 23^rd at 10:15 AM at St. Leo the Great RC Church, 50 Hurleys Lane, Lincroft NJ 07738. Entombment will follow at Clover Leaf Cemetery, Woodbridge.

In lieu of traditional remembrances the family asks that you make a donation in Madeline’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate