Obituary of Inez Rae Cleffi

Inez Rae Cleffi passed away peacefully at Morristown Medical Center with family at her side on February 24, 2022. She was 93.

Born on September 27, 1928 in Bloomingdale, she was the second daughter of the late Samuel and Gertrude (nee Armstrong) Cahill. She grew up in West Milford and Dover with her sisters Gertrude and Vivian and attended Dover High School, graduating in 1946.

She married her high school sweetheart and love of her life, George Cleffi, on September 4, 1948. They eventually settled in Rockaway and raised their family there, and later moved to Hackettstown. They celebrated 71 years of marriage shortly before George’s passing in 2019.

Inez was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who helped make wonderful memories with her family and friends. She enjoyed cooking and baking, and was especially known for her Easter bunny cake, candy cane cookies, and homemade applesauce, which she made alongside her grandchildren and great-grandchildren every autumn. She loved gardening and being in the outdoors, and was particularly fond of birding. Inez was also skilled at knitting, crocheting, and needlepoint and enjoyed reading mystery novels.

Inez will be remembered for her calm and steady demeanor as well as a sneaky and subtle wit. She always kept things simple, was never flustered, and was generous with her warmth and love. She was also generous with her time and was a fixture at soccer and baseball games, dance recitals, church every Sunday, and planned outings with her grandchildren. The stability she provided to her family never wavered, and her quiet strength was always appreciated and will always be cherished by those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Inez is predeceased by her husband George, sisters Gertrude Warner and Vivian Schofield, and daughter Lori. She is survived by daughter Carol (Buddy) Hendershot of Cheswick, PA; son George (Cathy) of Succasunna; son Gary of Costa Rica; daughter-in-law Dalia of Ivyland, PA; eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Visitation Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at Tuttle Funeral Home, Randolph (Tuttlefh.com) from 11:00AM -12Noon.  Funeral Service 12noon on Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at the funeral home.  Interment at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover.