Filomena Avolio, 85, of Paterson, passed on December 1, 2025. Beloved wife to the late Michele Avolio (2010), and mother to Angela Sagnella and her husband Alexander, Michael Avolio, and the late Michael Avolio (1972). She was a devoted Nonna to her grandchildren, Lauren and her husband Sam, Alexander, Nicholas, and Daniel. She was the eldest sister of the late Maria Mancini (1997), late Suora Giusseppina Lepore (2024), and Tonina Silvestri (2025). She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Filomena was born in Pacentro, Italy in 1940 to Salvatore and Angela Lepore. She married at 19, and came to America in the early 1960s. In America, she worked in a coat factory for ten years. Afterwards, she worked as a cook for a nursing home in Paterson until retirement. Filomena was an extremely talented seamstress. She made her sister Tonina's wedding dress, as well as her daughter, Angela's. She sewed her granddaughter's communion dress, as well as many Halloween costumes and milestone dresses. She was talented at crochet as well and generously created scarves and blankets for family and friends. Filomena was also a gifted cook making homemade pasta and sauce, and pizzelle cookies for holidays. Above all else, Filomena was extremely spiritual and regularly attended mass and contributed her skills to the parish of St. Michael's in Paterson, then to St. James in Totowa.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home, 111 Union Blvd, Totowa, on Friday, December 5, at 9:15 AM. Funeral Mass to follow at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa at 10:00 AM. Burial at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Visitation on Thursday, December 4, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 would be appreciated.