Isabella Cirilli Altano, 63, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Born in Molfetta, Italy, she came to America in 1969 at 15, settling in Jersey City, where she met her future husband, Brian Altano. The couple has been married for 39 years. Isabella earned an A.A. from Bergen Community College (B.C.C.), a B.A. from Columbia University, and a Masters in Architecture from Pratt Institute. She practiced architecture in Bergen County, specializing in educational facilities and hospitals. She was also an adjunct professor of Design at B.C.C., where she taught for 20 years. An indefatigable community activist, she spearheaded the drive to preserve the Zabriskie Schedler House in Ridgewood and have a park constructed on the property. She was also on the Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Bergen County and a member of the Ridgewood Planning Board and the town’s historic commission.
She is survived by her three sons, Brian, who lives in San Francisco with his wife Theresa; Daniel, who resides in New York City with his wife Gina and their son Luke; and Erik, who also lives in New York City with his girlfriend Raele. She is also survived by her parents, Teresa and Corrado Cirilli of Jersey City; her two brothers, Nick, from Maywood and his wife Anna Maria and Vincenzo, who lives in Brick with his wife Maria; as well as nieces and nephews Erica, Terese, Vincent, and Nicholas.
Viewing will be held at Feeney’s Funeral Home at 232 Franklin Avenue in Ridgewood, New Jersey on Wednesday, October 4th from 4pm to 8pm, with a funeral mass on Thursday, October 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church on 1 Passaic Street in Ridgewood. Please meet at church for the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Isabella Altano Scholarship Fund at Bergen Community College at: Isabella Altano Scholarship Fund, c/o BCC Foundation, Room A325, Bergen Community College, 400 Paramus Road, Paramus, New Jersey 07650

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