Mattea Cucinella Mannino, age 91 years, a sixty-five year resident of Ringoes, NJ, died on Tuesday, July 4, 2017 at her home, surrounded by her loving family with the caring assistance of Hunterdon Hospice.

Born on January 2, 1926 in Cinisi, Italy, daughter of the late Gaspare and Onorata Finazzo Cucinella, she emigrated to the United States in 1950, living for a year in Brooklyn, NY, before moving to Ringoes, NJ in 1952 where she worked carrying mason blocks alongside her husband Frank, as together they built their first home on Old York Road.

Carrying mason blocks to help build the home’s foundation is synonymous when writing about the life of this very caring and humble matriarch, who would prefer that a notice like this was kept very minimal. In keeping with her wishes, it will be minimal in words, but what can not be minimized is the many hearts she touched and cared for as the matriarch of her family.

A loving and devoted wife, mother, Nonna, Great Nonna, sister, aunt, cousin and friend are how Mattea, also known lovingly by her late husband as “Tilde” and the rest of her family as, “Mommy,” “Aunt Matilda,” “Nonna,” and “Nonna Tilda,” would want to be remembered. Her dedication to her family was valued above all else. She was the one whom everyone turned to for guidance, absolute and non-judgemental love, and of course, food. She not only fed the hearts of her family and friends by being the person she was, she was also known for her fantastic cooking.

Simple and humble, to know Mattea was to not just be her friend, but to form a deep relationship with her that endured. A longtime communicant of St. Magdalen Church, Flemington, NJ, Mattea’s faith was unwavering and one of the last times she was conscious this past Saturday, she insisted on watching Mass on television and politely quieted those who were there to visit her, as she spent that time in prayer. She had an affinity for Our Lady of Fatima, whose prayer we say here,

“O Most Holy Virgin Mary, Queen of the most holy Rosary, you were pleased to appear to the children of Fatima and reveal a glorious message. We implore you, inspire in our hearts a fervent love for the recitation of the Rosary. By meditating on the mysteries of the redemption that are recalled therein may we obtain the graces and virtues that we ask, through the merits of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Redeemer.”

She was preceded in death by her loving and adored husband of sixty-one years, Frank Mannino, on February 9, 2010.

Surviving are a daughter and son-in-law, Stella and Pietro Giordano of Ewing, NJ; a son and daughter-in-law, Anthony Mannino, M.D. and Katrine Mannino of New Hope, PA; a son, Gaspare (Reno) Mannino of New Hope, PA; five grandchildren, Geraldine and husband, Kenneth Fletcher, Anthony Giordano, Francesco Giordano, Franco Mannino and Isabella Mannino; three great grandchildren, Jonathan, Michal and Lucas Fletcher; her siblings, Giuseppe and wife, Lia Cucinella, Anna and husband, Giuseppe Alfano; a sister-in-law, Barbara Cucinella; a brother-in-law, Anthony Mannino; many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family; and many dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Antony Arockiadoss will take place on Monday, July 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

Entombment next to her beloved Frank will follow in St. Magdalen Mausoleum, North Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Mattea will lie in repose on Sunday, July 9, 2017  from 1:00-5:00 p.m. and on Monday, July 10, 2017 from 9:00-9:45 a.m. in the funeral home.

Please visit Mattea’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of her life.

In lieu of flowers and in appreciation for the wonderful care they took of both Mattea and Frank, the family requests that anyone wishing to make a contribution do so to Hunterdon Hospice, 2100 Wescott Drive, Flemington, NJ 08822.