Irene Bazzini

Irene Bazzini, a longtime Ridgewood resident, passed away peacefully on November 5th 2018 at the age of 89.

Irene’s parents, Maria and Salvatore Capparelli, came to this country from Italy and settled in Union City, New Jersey where she was born. After graduating from Union Hill High School, she set off for adventure. She got a job as part of the secretarial team at a large insurance company in Manhattan and took advantage of everything the place that would one day be known as the “Big Apple” had to offer: fashion, theater, concerts, dances... In fact, it was at one of those dances where she met the man who would later become her husband. A gifted dancer, she was less than impressed with his prowess. Even though she gave him the wrong phone number, he knew she was the one for him. Despite his inability to dance, his wit and singular ability to fill the room with his unique singing voice won her over.

Irene was loved by everyone who knew her, family, friends and colleagues alike. A beautiful, loving and gentle presence, she deeply loved her husband, children and grandchildren. An amazing cook, her Italian meals were legendary and she generously shared her recipes with everyone who asked. A gifted dancer, she could swirl across the dance floor with the greatest of grace and ease. In fact, we are sure that she is back on the dance floor right now, doing one of the things that she enjoyed most.

She is survived by her children: Carolyn Bazzini of Paris, France; Anthony and Thea Bazzini of The Woodlands, Texas; Robin and William Hardy of Midland Park and Robert and Gail-Marie (Flay) Bazzini of West Chester, Pennsylvania as well as six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert John Bazzini and brother Chester (“Chet”) Capparelli.

A mass will be held at the Church of the Nativity, 315 Prospect Street in Midland Park on Friday, December 28 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge, Inc https://rbari.org/donate/donate.html