Geraldine Nicolette
Active in Bloomfield community for nearly five decades
Geraldine (Ombalsky) Nicolette, 79, of Cambridge Crossing in Clifton, N.J., went to be with her Lord and Savior after valiantly battling cancer. She died at home, surrounded by loving family and friends on Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
Born in Newark and raised in Belleville, N.J., she married Gerard "Jerry" Nicolette. They raised their family in Bloomfield, N.J., where she was an active member of the community for nearly five decades. She was a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Church for 47 years; she was an active member of Montclair Beach Club for 40 years; she was the voice and face of Brookdale School, where she worked as the secretary for 25 years; and she was an eager volunteer and a valued member of the board of trustees at Oakside Mansion. Her many communities made for many long and cherished friendships.
Geraldine answered to several names and had many roles: Geri, mommy, aunt, and grandma; sister, cousin, friend and neighbor. She loved children in general and her grandchildren in particular. She was her best when among them.
Christmas, gift-giving and blue hydrangeas gave her joy. She relished eating out, her B&B on the rocks, a good martini with olives and chocolate. Geraldine would want you to smile and remember her when you hear the clink of glasses, the laughter of children and the happy chatter of friends and family.
Geraldine leaves many who loved her: her husband, Jerry of 56 years; her daughter, Janine and her husband, Michael Fantin and their children, Emily and Isabel Nicolette-Fantin; her son, Gerard and his wife, Kimberly and their children, Michael, Julia and Christopher; her niece, Sandra (Ombalsky) Miceli and her husband, Michael; her nephew, Joseph Ombalsky and his wife, Isabelle; her brother, Michael Ombalsky and his wife, Rita and treasured cousins, friends, and honorary grandbabies.
Geraldine was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Joseph Ombalsky Sr.; her brother, Joseph Ombalsky Jr. and his wife, Carole.
Because of current health advisories, a private funeral will be held with immediate family members only, with the hope of a large memorial service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Geraldine has requested you make a donation in her name to the cancer . Geraldine has also asked you to consider the following: "We can do no great things - only small things with great love." Mother Teresa