Obituary of Janice L. Pillarella

JANICE L. PILLARELLA,86

Janice L. Pillarella, passed away on March 27, 2024, at the age of 86, a lifelong resident Staten Island, NY. She was born Janice Lucille Koebel on September 22, 1937.   Janice married the love of her life at sixteen and moved briefly to  El Paso where her husband was stationed  with the Air Force. Janice was a homemaker, known for her warm and loving personality as well as her great Sunday family dinners where ravioli, meatballs, sausage and braciole  were always a favorite.  She loved her Dunkin’ runs and Carvel Wednesdays.  She was a lot of fun to be around, always joking, and lovable. Most of all she will be remembered for her many recipes. They were all passed down from her mother and mother-in-law.  

Janice enjoyed trips annual trips to St Maarten with her late husband, as well as Atlantic City. She loved watching game shows. She was a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church. 

Janice is survived by her three children Mario, Jr., John, and Susan Pillarella, as well as her seven beloved grandchildren: Nicholas, Amanda, Lindsay, Joseph, John Mario, Michael, and Emily. She is also survived by a cousin, Mary Ann Anderson, who was more of a sister than a cousin, and many nieces and nephews.   “My mother in law always treated me like her daughter, “ said her Daughter-In-law Jean Pillarella.   

“My mother always put family first!”   Said her daughter Susan. 

 Janice was preceded in death by her late husband, Mario, Sr., her mother Mickelena Felci, her father John Koebel, and her half-siblings Henry Koebel and Catherine Koebel Jantz.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Janice's memory to:

Olivet Presbyterian Church, 97 Myrtle Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10301 

 Viewing will be held on Monday,April 1 at Matthew Funeral Home,  from 2-4 and 7-9 with the funeral service taking place on Tuesday, April 2 at 9 am from Matthew Funeral Home to Olivet Presbyterian Church. She will be laid to rest at Moravian Cemetery.