Delia T. Earley, of Cedar Grove, left this world on January 12, 2015 as she lived in it, surrounded by people who loved her. Her family and friends know they have lost a truly unique person whose love, kindness and compassion is irreplaceable. Delia’s life calling was nursing and she found her home at Mountainside Hospital. Outside the hospital, Delia had a wide and varied social life and a family who adored her. Known as DeeDee to her family, she loved them unconditionally. She was a second mother to her nieces and nephew and to their children who were blessed to have been loved by such an extraordinary woman. A deeply religious woman, Delia had great faith and believed in the power of love.

At Mountainside Hospital she spent her career doing what she did best; caring for others with an infinitely kind heart. Whether it was working as a staff nurse early in her career, as head nurse of the Emergency Room or in charge of the Central Supply department, Delia led with unwavering dedication and a strong opinion. Delia retired after 58 years of service but continued to work part time until several years ago.

Predeceased by her husband Jack and by her sisters Annette Liashek and Lora Rago, Delia is survived by her sister Marie Fries, nephew Peter Liashek, and nieces Lisa Fries Gardner, Lori Fargnoli, and Leslie Fries. Although she had no children of her own, Delia had many children in all those she loved so dearly. She was a source of support and a bedrock of constant devotion to her nieces, nephew and to their children who will always keep her in their hearts.

Friends and family are invited to visit at Caggiano Memorial Home, 62 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ on Friday, January 23 from 3:00-8:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 24 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 94 Pine Street, Montclair. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Delia’s memory to The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10000 or www.alzfdn.org