Angelina Collepardi

Angelina Collepardi (nee D’Arco) age 77 of Voorhees, NJ passed away peacefully on Sunday June 7, 2020. Angelina was the beloved wife of Robert A. Collepardi who were blessed to share 56 years of marriage. Devoted loving mother of Gabrielle Collepardi (Brian) of Somerdale, NJ, Dolores Hill (William) of Steuben, NY, Robert D. Collepardi (Amanda) of W. Berlin, NJ, and loving Grandmother of Taylor Rose Collepardi, who she adored more than anything in the world. Angelina was predeceased by her sister Serafina D’Arco. She leaves behind her siblings Serafino (John) D’Arco, Emilia O’Livo, and Raymond D’Arco along with many wonderful step grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Born in 1942 in Italy to Raimondo and Maria D’Arco, Angelina grew up in San Benedetto del Tronto, a city and commune in Marche, a beautiful beach resort on the Adriatic coast. Her family planned a move to the United States of America by cruising on the SS Andrea Doria in 1956. Their trip was postponed due to a family medical issue, a blessing in disguise, as the SS Andrea Doria collided with another ship and sunk. In 1957 in Naples Italy, Angelina boarded a ship called the Vulcania with her family where she traveled to America for 12 long days finally reaching Ellis Island, N.Y. She lived with her family in Pennsauken, NJ where she attended Catholic School and listened to records singing along to perfect learning the American language. Once out of school, Angelina worked at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, as a medical secretary. In the early 1960’s Angelina met her loving husband Robert at Ivy Lane’s Bowling Alley in Pennsauken, NJ, where he worked as a young man. They married and moved to W. Berlin, NJ where they raised their three children. Angelina followed her husband to Paris Texas for a job opportunity. There she joined the Newcomers Club and met many lovely friends, which met regularly where they did crafts, enjoyed good food and shared many laughs. One day while at home, two women knocked on the door and introduced themselves as wives of Doctors in town. They advised that they had heard of Angelina through ladies in the Newcomers Club and that she was known as a great cook. They asked if she could create several of her specialty dishes to sample. Angelina obliged by making Italian dishes learned from her Mother and Grandmother. The doctor’s wives were opening a new restaurant in town called Cafe’ Palermo, the first of its kind in town, where Angelina soon became the head chef. Patrons would line up outside of the building waiting to be seated to enjoy her specialties, frequently asking to speak to the chef rewarding her with words of high praise for her culinary talents. Eventually, Angelina and Robert moved to Voorhees N.J. Angelina was very artistic and had a knack for unique beautiful crafts and floral design. This led her to a lengthy career as the head Floral Designer at Michael’s Craft Store in Cherry Hill, NJ where she enjoyed her passion, expressed her style through her creations and met many wonderful friends. Her clients loved her craft and eventually convinced her it was time to open her own store. She owned and operated The Silk Peddler on Main Street in Medford, NJ until she retired. Angelina was a member of the Sons of Italy Marlton Lodge #2315 which she enjoyed very much and met some beautiful friends who treated her like family. Angelina will be remembered as a kind and compassionate person. She loved animals and her gardens and really enjoyed spending time with children. She was patient, generous, resourceful and charitable. It was important to her that she passed on her love of family and traditions, the love of good food and her culinary skills to her family. She taught her children to believe in themselves and they could do anything they put their mind to. She had a diverse circle of wonderful friends who she truly cherished. A visitation and Mass of Christian Burial will be held privately for the family at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church/St. Simon Stock Parish, White Horse Pike, Berlin, NJ. Relative to COVID19 restrictions, masks will be required to protect our loved ones. Interment will follow at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Condolences may be shared at www.lpwoosterfuneralhome.com. Angelina will be so very deeply missed by her family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers or donations we ask that you take a moment to hug and spend time with your loved ones. Time waits for no one and you never know when the last moment will be.