Obituary of Irene Rose Toto

With heartfelt sadness the family of Irene Rose (Koziatek) Toto would like to share the news of her passing on April 22, 2023. She passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family.

Irene was born and raised in South River, NJ and was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in South River and was a member of St. Mary’s Solidarity where she was honored to crown the Blessed Mother. It was during her younger years where she became devoted to the Blessed Mother and remained so for her entire life.

Before her marriage to Antonio Toto (Tony) in 1958, Irene was a cheerleader at South River HS where she cheered for her future husband. She was also a member of the New Jersey All State Choir. She was proud to have graduated from the American Institute of Banking and worked for the President of First National Bank in South River before having her family.

She was a member of The Rosary Society, the South River Lions Lady Auxiliary Club, the St. Thomas Choir and the Christian Women’s Club.

Irene was married to her husband Tony Toto for 65 years. She was a devoted mother to five children, Thomas Toto of Seaside Park, NJ and his wife Kathleen Toto, Teresa Toto-Moriarty of Madison,NJ and her husband Brian Moriarty, Debra Diffendal of Lakewood Ranch, FL and her husband Pete Diffendal, Antonio Toto of East Brunswick, NJ and his wife Cathy Cosgrove, Walter Toto of Summit, NJ and his wife Melissa Van Dyke. She was also a grandmother to eleven children, TJ Toto and his wife Allison, Kaitlyn Keiper and her husband Chris, Matthew Toto, Emma Witko and her husband Paul, Rachel Teza and her husband Gustavo, Karly Toto, Charlotte Moriarty, Katherine Toto, Thomas Diffendal, Elizabeth Toto and Trevor Toto. She also has 4 great grandchildren, William, Mara, Amelia Rose and Taylor Hope.

Irene was predeceased by her parents Walter and Stella Koziatek, her siblings Walter (Buck) Koziatek, Stella (Feffie) Rutkowski, Joseph (Dudders) Koziatek and Eleanor Weischadle.

Irene was a very loving, gentle and kind woman and she expressed that to everyone she would meet. She cherished her friendships and especially her family and was always willing to show up for those in need. She was a very accomplished cook and baker, a lover of music and an avid piano player. She loved the Jersey Shore and spending time with her family. She will be dearly missed by all who have had the privilege of being in her life.

Visitation will be 4:00-8:00 pm on Thursday April 27, 2023 and 8:45-9:15 am on Friday April 28, 2023 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. - 205 Rhode Hall Rd., Monroe Twp., NJ  08831.  Funeral services will begin at 9:15 am on Friday from the funeral home.  A funeral liturgy will be 10:00 am at St. Thomas the Apostle RC Church - 333 Rt. 18 South, Old Bridge, NJ  08857 followed by entombment in Holy Cross Burial Park, South Brunswick.

In lieu of flowers, and for those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Irene's memory to The Society of the Little Flower - www.littleflower.org or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital - www.stjude.org.