Gentalina (Jerry) Farina, 89, passed away peacefully at her home in Pennington NJ on May 1, 2024.
Jerry was born on June 28, 1934 on her family's farm on the outskirts of Pennington. She was a lifelong Pennington resident, graduating from Central High School of Hopewell Township in 1952. Jerry married Alexander Farina in 1958 and raised their 4 children while also running her husband's busy medical practice. Jerry was an incredible chef who prepared Italian food for her friends and family but was also known to throw together a hot dog scramble on a busy night. She was the original farm to table chef, growing some of the best jersey tomatoes in her garden behind the family's home on North Main Street. Homemade pizzelle, biscotti and cannolis were her specialty and often requested at holidays and family gatherings.
Jerry was passionate about leading a healthy lifestyle. Her motto was "move your body" giving Jack Lalanne a run for his money. On any given day, Jerry could be found playing tennis, jogging, swimming, hiking, cycling and later in life embracing yoga and golf. She was an avid skier and swooshed down the slopes in Italy, Colorado, Canada, New England and Elk Mountain PA but her favorite place to ski was Taos NM. She took her love for all things southwestern and mixed it with her antique collection and oriental rugs to decorate her home. Jerry had this artistic flair her entire life, from designing costumes for high school plays to sewing, photography and a pure joy in visiting art museums and sculpture gardens.
Jerry loved to help others and volunteered whenever possible. One of her favorite projects was the Strawberry Festival which raised funds to help preserve the Woosamonsa SchoolHouse. Jerry was baptized at St. James Church, making her a parishioner for almost 90 years. She was a member of the Lazarus Society, Women’s Prayer Group, Soup and Study and was instrumental in starting the Festa Italiana along with her sister Yolanda. Jerry was a Eucharistic minister and gave communion to those who were physically unable to attend Mass. She also volunteered at Capital Health where she chatted with patients and held the hands of those who were sick and alone.
Jerry’s devotion to her 11 grandchildren was evident when she would drop everything to help care for them. She would drive them to doctors appointments, take care of them when they were sick, cook their favorite meals, hop on airplanes and trains to babysit and cheer them on at their big games. This was truly what gave her the most joy in life! She was greatly loved and we will all miss her forever.
Jerry is survived by Alexander her husband of 66 years, her four children Lisa Ferguson (Jack), Alex Farina (Lisa), Mark Farina (Maureen), Jean Valerio (Jim) and her 11 grandchildren Molly, Kyle, Shae, Annie, Sean, Abbie, Patrick, Jenna, Grace, Cameron and AJ. Jerry was predeceased by her parents, Carmine and Maria Nicola (Rosica), her sister Yolanda D’Alesio, and her brothers Sevy DiCocco and Anthony DiCocco Sr.
She is also survived by her faithful companion Enzo whom she gave many a treat and took on long walks through the woods and down Woosamonsa Road.
A mass of christian burial will be celebrated 10:00AM Friday, June 14, 2024 at St. James Church, 115 Delaware Ave., Pennington. Burial will follow in Harbourton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jerry’s name to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund www.CureAlz.org
