Obituary of Deena S. Salvatore

Deena Salvatore (nee Silverman), of Long Valley, NJ, passed away on July 1, 2023 following a 2 1/2-year battle with glioblastoma brain cancer– one day shy of her 70th birthday. She was the beloved wife of Lawrence for 44 years; cherished mother of Matthew and Phillip and their wives Elizabeth and Samantha. The joy of her life were her grandchildren: Grace, Rose, and Paige. Deena is also survived by sisters Marsha Parker and Leslie Fama, and brothers Maury and David Silverman. Deena was born in Staten Island, New York, and lived in the Midland Beach neighborhood for most of her childhood. She attended PS 38, Egbert Junior High School, and New Dorp High School. After high school, Deena attended Drake Business School at night while working full time during the day. For more than 15 years, she served as an executive legal secretary at prestigious law firms in Manhattan. Church was always a vital part of Deena's life, and she was active in the New Dorp Moravian Church from childhood. It was through the church's youth group that she would meet Larry. At New Dorp, she was a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School coordinator, and a member of the Board of Elders. She maintained ties to New Dorp Moravian and, after moving from Staten Island, found a second church family in Zion Lutheran Church in Long Valley, NJ. She could always be counted on to make something special for any occasion that involved a shared meal, especially dessert! Deena and Larry were married in New Dorp in 1979 and moved to Union, NJ. There they started a family with their son Matthew (1985) and then Phillip (1987). Deena put her career on hold for what she considered her most important and rewarding job: mother of 2 boys. She was very active in the Washington School Parent Teacher Association, where she served in leadership positions. Deena had many talents: she was a self-taught decorative artist who founded her own business painting murals, stencils, and faux finishes in homes and commercial properties; she was a talented baker and cook and she passed along that passion to both of her sons and everyone who knew her. She loved to cook with friends and teach others. Never formally trained, she was offered the opportunity to bake professionally – an offer she declined because she valued her family time before all else. As her sons grew, Deena worked in retail – always in areas that she was passionate about (Craftique, William-Sonoma and Country Curtains). She considered herself blessed with each of her daughters-in-law, Elizabeth and Samantha, and was over the moon with the birth of each grandchild: Grace, Rose and Paige. They truly were her light and joy, particularly during her illness. In the last ten years, she and Larry were able to indulge in another passion: travel to Europe and the Caribbean, most recently a trip to St Lucia this past December. Deena was dearly loved in life and will be dearly missed by the many lives she touched. Memorial donations may be made to: Karen Ann Quinlan Memorial Foundation 99 Sparta Avenue Newton, NJ 07860