Esther Punturieri, 94 years old of Jackson, NJ, formerly of Forked River, NJ and Brooklyn, NY peacefully slipped away on Friday, August 25, 2017 at Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ due to complications of pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

She was the beloved wife of the late Paul Punturieri; loving mother of three sons and daughters-in-law Joseph and Linda Lauro Punturieri, Frank Punturieri and Carol Tufano Punturieri, and Paul and Linda Casaw Punturieri; beloved grandmother to Mike Punturieri, Steve Punturieri, Dave Punturieri Alicia Morici, Brian Punturieri, Ray and Audrey Punturieri; and dear Great Grandmother of Amanda, Andrew, Leanna, Madison, Siena, JonMichael, Connor, Samantha, Elliott, and the late Michael.

Born in Westerly, Rhode Island in October of 1922, Esther made her home in Brooklyn, NY where she eventually married and raised her family. She was a stock clerk in Chemical Bank in New York City for many years. In 1985, her and her husband retired to Forked River, NJ where they lived in the Pheasant Run community surrounded by many new acquaintances who became cherished friends.

Esther enjoyed bowling, traveling, needlepoint, reading the Daily News, and watching television especially old time movies and westerns. She loved going to Atlantic City casinos; but her passion was sports particularly a fondness for the NY Yankees. She watched their games intently, often yelling at the TV screen, and could recite player and team stats like a pro.

She remained in her home following her husband’s death in 2000 and later moved to Bella Terra Independent Living in Jackson, NJ in 2015. Here she made new friends, enjoyed outings and shopping, participated in the facilities’ activities, and was thankful to be able to maintain her independence in her own apartment.

A viewing will be held at Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY (http://www.matthewfuneralhome.com/obituaries/esther-punturieri/) on Monday, August 28 from 5 to 10 pm. Prior to the funeral mass on Tuesday, August 29 at 10:30 am at Our Lady of Pity Church, 1616 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY, visitors may go to the funeral home for a brief viewing. Interment will be at Resurrection Cemetery, 361 Sharrott Avenue, Staten Island, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, 1 Union Street, Suite 301 Robbinsville, NJ 08691-4183 or online at https://donatenow.heart.org/ in memory of Esther Punturieri.

“Those we love don’t go away, they walk beside us every day…unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.”