Obituary of Elizabeth A Jones Fasciana

It is with great sadness that the family of Elizabeth “Betty” Jones Fasciana, 85, announces her passing on October 2, 2022, at Fellowship Village in Basking Ridge, N.J.

Elizabeth Ann Cosenza was born on May 18, 1937, in New York City. She was the third of four children of the late Michael A. Cosenza Sr. and Assunta “Sue” Mecca Cosenza. Betty grew up in Greenwich Village and graduated from Cathedral High School. At the age of 20, she married the late John J. Jones Jr., the father of her five children. She often said that motherhood was the ultimate joy in her life. After her divorce from John, she went on to marry the late Martin M. Fasciana.

In her early 50s, she made the decision to go to nursing school. She attended Somerset County Technical Institute, where she was voted president of her class and won a scholarship for her essay “Why I Want to Be a Nurse.”  She proudly received her licensed practical nurse (LPN) diploma in 1991 and went on to work at Morristown Medical Center and for various private medical offices in the area. 

Volunteering was always an important part of her life. Even before attending nursing school, she was a committed member of the Liberty Corner First Aid Squad. After earning her diploma, she coordinated the volunteer program at Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills and offered her services at flu clinics throughout Somerset County for many years. She also spearheaded the parish nursing program for Our Lady of Perpetual Help Roman Catholic Church in Bernardsville. 

In addition, she loved singing in the folk choir and serving as a eucharistic minister at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Basking Ridge. She also enjoyed participating in community theater, including singing and dancing in musicals. She performed with the Somerset Run Tap Tones, a tap-dancing troupe, in her 70s and gave poetry readings into her 80s.

The things she cherished most in life were her family, friends, faith in God, and serving others. She was lovingly known as “Nonnie” to her grandchildren. Her strong faith and positive attitude helped her successfully navigate life's challenges and made her a stronger person. She counted her blessings every day. She will be sorely missed, but the legacy of her beautiful spirit carries on in all who knew her. 

Betty will be lovingly remembered by her five children and two stepchildren: son Michael Kevin of Chatham, son Brian of San Francisco, Calif., son Dennis William (wife Emily) of Basking Ridge, son Christopher John (wife Kathleen) of Brookhaven, Ga., daughter Debra Anne Jones of Basking Ridge, stepson Mark Fasciana (wife Nicole) of Denville, and stepson Steven Fasciana (wife Cathy) of Matthews, N.C. 

She is also survived by her four grandchildren, Patrick James Jones, Nicholas Brady Jones, Teresa Stewart Jonesand Isabella Henriquez-Jones; eight step-grandchildren, Katherine Henriquez-Dilone, Karina Henriquez-Dilone, Miguel Angel Henriquez-Dilone, Rodriguez Henriquez-Dilone, Brielle Fasciana, Trent Fasciana, Caden Fasciana and Jonathan Fasciana; three step-great-grandchildren, Angie, Luna and Ace; and two siblings, brothers Michael and Joseph. 

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Martin Fasciana, and her sister, Barbara Vella. 

A celebration of her life will be held at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Basking Ridge on Saturday, October 29, at 11 a.m.and immediately followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills, 200 Mt. Airy Road, Basking Ridge, N.J. 07920; or Safe+Sound Somerset, P.O. Box 835, Somerville, N.J. 08876. For further information or to leave an online condolence message please visit www.gcfuneralhome.com