Obituary of Deborah Ann Vitella

Deborah Ann Vitella, 63, of Freehold Township passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. 

Debbie was born in Trenton and raised in the Chambersburg section of the city. She graduated from McCorristin Catholic High School in Hamilton Township in 1980 and went on to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Mercer County Community College in 1982.

Debbie worked as a registered nurse at Deborah Heart and Lung Center before retiring from Dr. Robert Gabel’s office in Red Bank.

A voracious reader, she was a devoted and long standing member of a local book club for over thirty-five years. Though she enjoyed traveling, Debbie's true passion was art. She was a prolific painter and crafter, deeply involved in the watercolor painting community, where she formed lasting friendships with fellow artists around the world.

Debbie was predeceased by her parents, John Richard and Joyce Mary (nee Pica) Demspey and her sister, Linda Sokolowksi.  She is survived by her husband of forty-two years, Mike Vitella of Freehold; a son, Kevin Vitella of Freehold; a daughter, Vivian Vitella and her partner, Melanie Willett of Seattle, WA; many, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles; her faithful canine companions, Mango and Kiwi; and her grand dog, Shiva.

A memorial gathering will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, May 31,  2025 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM with her memorial service to follow at 3:00 PM.  Inurnment will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either, Adopt A Pet of Freehold, PO Box 6384, Freehold, NJ 07728 or HERE or Save the Children, 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 or HERE.  For information, directions or condolence messages to the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.