Deborah Falato

Deborah Falato, age 69, passed away surrounded by family on April 27th, 2023. She grew up in Paterson, NJ where she met the love of her life, Edward Falato. They married in 1977 and dedicated their lives to their 4 children and 5 grandchildren.  Together they worked hard to move to Ramsey in 1987 and watch their family blossom.

Deb spent many years of her life working at the Ramsey Pathmark, where she spent more time as a therapist and match maker, than working. She could often be found sitting on the bench outside the store chatting with regular customers who became friends.

She wasn’t the best baker, often using the smoke alarm as a timer, but what she lacked in baking skills, she made up for in support and love.  Deb made sure that all her kids (and often the neighborhood kids) felt her love and dedication, she could be found in the stands cheering on various sport teams, helping at the snack stand at Finch Park, heading up the hoagie sale for the marching band, traveling far and wide for winter guard competitions or being a taxi driver while shuttling them all over Bergen County. Her home was often the gathering place for friends and family, she welcomed everyone with open arms and a big hug.

She enjoyed time with the family at the Jersey Shore; Point Pleasant was her beach of choice. Later in life, when the kids became more independent, she loved to travel around the world. Her favorite vacation was cruising, many times she never even left the boat. She made friends on every vacation and knew a stranger’s life story within just a few hours sitting at the pool.

She didn’t have many hobbies, but she sure did love watching her favorite shows. You could find her lounging in the living room with Law & Order, CSI, Blue Bloods, Criminal Minds, or the Big Bang Theory playing. Deb never met a Triple Diamond slot machine she didn’t like. Her favorite saying that she dished out as advice often: “It is, what it is.” Unlike others of her generation, she didn’t live in the past and enjoyed current pop music, her favorite rapper was Eminem. As we grew up, she was the “fun one” and would plan Halloween parties, birthday parties with the whole neighborhood and play practical jokes. Her laugh was loud and unapologetic.

Deb loved being a mother, but truly cherished being a stay-at-home grandmother. Suddenly, all the rules and regulations were out the window because the grandkids could do no wrong. She spent time with them at the Ramsey pool or watching them do all the things they enjoyed. She cheered on the Yankees; however, her favorite baseball team was whichever team her grandson played for. She attended every fundraiser her grandkids had but never won even one tricky tray prize.

The last few months of her life were spent battling one medical oddity after another; only the miracle team of Doogie Howser, MD and Dr. House would have been able to save her. During all that time, she never lost her sense of humor or her compassion. She treated every doctor, nurse, food service person and janitor with the same kindness and appreciation.

She was predeceased by her parents, and her husband of 39 years, Ed. She is survived by her children Eric, Andrea, her husband Jason Lisbona, David, and Michelle; her grandchildren Eric Jr., Zoe, Gavin, Benjamin, and AJ. She is also survived by her siblings Cheryl Ann, Beverly, Collette, Patricia, James, sister-in-law Linda and many nieces and nephews.

She will be missed dearly; however, she is finally at peace.

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