Maria Teresa Passarella

Maria Teresa Passarella, most knowingly as Teresa to many, 70, of Jersey City, formerly of São Paulo, Brazil, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She was born on August 27, 1955, in São Paulo, Brazil, to the late Edgar and Diva (nee Destri) Rodrigues Do Nascimento.

As a young woman, Teresa supported a few charities in Brazil that mainly helped the disadvantaged and the orphans.  Teresa was a devoted mother to her daughters, Danielle Newman and Emanuelle Roberts, her son, Patrick Passarella, and a loving grandmother to Jack Newman and Sofia Roberts. She is also survived by her devoted son-in-laws, Bryan Newman and Seth Roberts, who went above and beyond to ensure that whenever help was needed that it got completed; by her brother, Fabio Rodrigues Do Nascimento. Teresa was preceded in death by her cherished parents, and by her husband, Waldir who passed away in March 2025 as well. 

A woman of warmth and strength, Maria dedicated her life to her family. She found joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren, and loved the simple pleasure of relaxing at home watching Netflix, particularly her favorites shows: Full House, Gilmore Girls, and Seinfeld. To her friends and loved ones, Teresa was known as having a great sense of humor, being kindhearted, resilient, and deeply devoted to those she held dear.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306 (For GPS, please use our parking lot address: 14 Stagg Street, Jersey City). Interment will follow at Arlington Cemetery, 748 Schuyler Ave., Kearny, NJ.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors and staff at Hackensack Meridian Hospital, especially Dr. Graham and her team for their compassionate care. They would also like to thank Teresa's many friends from Hoboken and Jersey City, with special appreciation to Cecilia and her daughter, for their unwavering support throughout Maria’s treatments. Teresa's memory will forever live on in the hearts of her family and friends.