Obituary of Eda Angela Ziller

Eda (Chini) Ziller, 96, passed away peacefully on Thursday February 26, 2015. Eda was born in Segno, Italy to the late Basilio and Angela (Geri) Chini on January 23, 1919. Eda was the last survivor of seven siblings. She embarked to the United States at the age of 18 to begin a new life. There she was employed in various jobs, always moving up a level due to her diligence and conscientiousness, although she arrived in America speaking only Italian. In Brooklyn she met her beloved Carlo, the love of her life, with whom she shared a blessed marriage of 40 years. In 1948 the couple moved to South Vineland, which became their home to raise their three sons. Carlo and Eda ran a poultry farm as their livlihood for many years. As the boys grew older, Eda was employed by the Vineland Public Schools as a cafeteria cook prior to her retirement. Family was the focus of her life, and her love for all shown through. Her family loved gathering at the kitchen table to enjoy her wonderful cooking, especially her polenta, homemade raviolis and lemon meringue pie being favorites. These, along with the regaling of family stories, resulted in much joy and laughter. Family and friends were grateful receivers of her beautiful and intricate crocheting. From baby blankets to afghans for bedrooms and family rooms, Eda's creations were always done with love. Always a good-natured competitor, she enjoyed family gatherings to showcase her skills. She was a great bocce ball player, giving the men quite a challenge. She was also a fierce competitor in card games, especially the family games of Uno. Eda's life was enriched by the wonderful lifelong friends and neighbors that she and Carlo had made. Always enjoyable for many years were the gatherings of the South Vineland gang where the sharing of their Italian heritage was treasured. She cherished her dear girlfriends, whose loyalty and kindness were of comfort to her, and she looked forward to their visits and luncheons filled with laughter and love. Recently, Eda loved going to her weekly breakfasts with her sons and grandchildren, where the memories made there will never be forgotten. Eda was predeceased by her loving husband Carlo in 1981 as well as her six siblings. Eda is survived by her three sons, Richard (Mary Lou) of Ashburn, VA, Frank (Kathleen) of Millville, and Rudy (Megan) of Millville; Grandchildren Elizabeth (Sean) Gallaher, Richard Jr. (Alexandra), Jennifer (Jason) Robertson, Christopher, Brett, Michael, Vincent, Nicholas and Olivia Ziller; as well as 12 great-grandchildren. A church visitation will be held on Tuesday March 3 from 9:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at 11 a.m. at Christ the Good Shepherd Parish - Church of St. Isodore the Farmer, 1655 Magnolia Road, Vineland. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineland. Arrangements are under the supervision of the Rone Funeral Service 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland. Donations, if so desired, can be made in Eda's memory to St. Mary School East Vineland 735 Union Road, Vineland, NJ 08360.