Obituary of Geraldine La Motta

Deena was born on February 26,1937 in Jersey City, NJ to the late Edith and Paul Lenzi. She graduated from Newark State Teacher’s College (now Kean University) and taught elementary school in Union and religious education in Newark from 1958-1960.

On February 20,1960 she married her soulmate, Joseph La Motta, at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark.  After marriage and the birth of her first child, Deena dedicated herself to both her family at home and volunteer work in her new community of Wayne, NJ.  She and Joe raised their three children there until building their dream home in 1985 and moving to Bedford, NY, where she became a volunteer at the Katonah Museum of Art and St. Patrick’s Church. They made beautiful family memories throughout the years at their ski home in Vermont and, later, on Captiva Island.  In 2017, Joe and Deena relocated to Sleepy Hollow and, after Joe’s death, Deena became known in her Kendal on Hudson community for her artwork, her faith, her kindness and her warmth. She put her best foot and most beautiful face forward every single day, despite the many challenges she faced through the years.

Together, Deena and Joe donated their time and support to many philanthropic and charitable causes, including the Glaucoma Foundation, the MS Society, Seton Hall University, Seton Hall Prep, Northern Westchester Hospital and many others.  She has continued the work they started together, maintaining her support of causes that are dear to her heart, including Phelps Memorial Hospital, Seton Hall University (the La Motta Chair for Italian Studies) Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the Sisters of Life.

Deena is the adored mother of Jodee (Ed) of Yorktown Heights, Joseph (Yvonne) of Mt. Laurel, NJ and Clifford (Renata) of Ridgefield CT.  Luke, Emily, Morgan, Chloe, Cara and Zach are blessed to call her “Grammy,” as is Leonardo, her great-grandson and the joy of her life since he was born three years ago.  Her second great-grandchild, a boy, is expected in January of the coming year.

Deena’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 1, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Road, Katonah, NY.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 2nd at 10:3am at St. Patrick's RC Church, 137 Moseman Road, Yorktown Heights, NY.  Interment will follow at Middle Patent Rural Cemetery, Middle Patent Road, Banksville, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either Phelps Hospital or Gianna’s House.  Please reference Geraldine La Motta when making your donation.

- Phelps Hospital or checks can be mailed to: Phelps Hospital, Development Office, 1 Phelps Lane, Suite 106, Sleepy Hollow, NY  10591.

- Gianna’s House or checks can be mailed to: Gianna’s House, Attn: Julie Noce 31 Prospect Street, Brewster, NY 10509