Obituary of Constantina Marchese

Constantina “Dina” Marchese, 69, of Long Branch, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Born in Gioia del Colle, Bari, Italy, to Sergio and Vitina Dentico, Dina came to the United States with her late brother, Nicholas, at the age of two. Her early childhood was spent in the Vailsburg section of Newark, New Jersey, before her family later settled in Clark, New Jersey. She attended Arthur L. Johnson High School and graduated with the Class of 1975.

Dina built a life centered around family, faith, and caring for others. She worked in real estate for several years and served as a post-closing coordinator at Two River Realty LLC in Little Silver, New Jersey, before retiring in 2019. She was known for her kindness, dedication, and warm personality with everyone she met.

Dina is survived by her loving husband, John Marchese; her devoted daughter, Tina Romano, and her husband, Timothy; and her beloved grandchildren, Lucas and Gavin. Dina was previously married to the late Victor Rodrigues, the father of Tina, with whom she shared many meaningful years in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. She is also survived by her sister, Rita Gaglioti, and brother-in-law Gary, as well as her niece and nephew, Nicolette LaMorte and her husband Stephen, and Gary Gaglioti Jr.

Dina had a creative spirit and was a master of crafts, particularly crocheting. She could create almost anything she saw and generously donated many of her handmade items to the hospital cancer center to bring comfort to others. She also loved shopping, cooking for her family, spending time at the beach, and sharing special moments with those she loved.

Her personality was as unique as it was warm. While deeply devoted to her Catholic faith and her love of Jesus, she also had a fun and spirited side. She loved the music of Godsmack and carried a bit of a rock-and-roll spirit while still being a true hippie at heart. She was incredibly strong, selfless, and always put the needs of others before her own.

Above all else, Dina was a loving mother and devoted grandmother. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, Lucas and Gavin, whom she adored deeply.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Monday, March 16, 2026, from 5:00–8:00 p.m. at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main Street, Madison, NJ. A Funeral Mass for Dina will be held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Blvd., Chatham, NJ. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Dina be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).