Audrey M. Colella, 91 of Sea Girt, died Sunday, November 26, 2017 after a courageous battle with dementia. Born in Queens, NY, she attended nursing school at Bellevue Hospital. Audrey then met her husband Jerry in Riverhead, Long Island, where he was stationed while serving in the Army. They were married in 1945 and resided in Astoria, Queens, before settling in Maplewood. They were devoted parishioners of St. Paul the Apostle Church in Irvington. Audrey was a member of the Rosary Society there and a dedicated volunteer. She possessed a deep faith in God and believed that the way to thank Him for His blessings was to give of her time. Audrey was a tireless fundraiser for St. Paul’s, she started a weekly Bingo, organized many car raffles and numerous charitable benefits. One of her biggest achievements was being the driving force in starting the Pre-K program at the school. She managed all of this while raising her family and working for over 20 years at Kay Company in Kenilworth.
Audrey and Jerry maintained a summer home in Sea Girt Estates and moved there permanently in 1997. She was a proud and active member of both the Avon and Spring Lake Women’s Clubs.
Audrey was predeceased by her beloved husband of 68 years, Gerald “Jerry” Colella in 2013; her son-in-law Duke Gaiser in 2014; her parents Francis & Vincie Sykora; sister Elaine McMahon; and her beloved nephew James McMahon.
Audrey was a loving wife, mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother. She has two daughters- Deborah Heuer & husband Brian, Wall; and Cheryl Gaiser of Sea Girt Estates. Affectionately known as “GG” to her grandchildren Brian & Leigh Heuer of New Milford, Keith & Dannielle Heuer of Spring Lake Heights, and Kimberley & Michael Ellery of Manasquan. She adored children and felt so blessed to be the Great-Grandmother to seven wonderful young people: James, Emma and Dylan Heuer, Jack and Mackenzie Heuer, and Abigail and Paige Ellery.
Visitation will be Thursday, from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, December 1, 10:30 AM at St. Catharine Church, 215 Essex Ave, Spring Lake. Entombment will follow in St. Catharine Cemetery Mausoleum, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251 Denville, NJ 07834.