Carmella Hillyer of the Colonia section of Woodbridge Township passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at JFK Medical Center in Edison surrounded by her loving family.  She was 87 years old.

Born in Newark, she has resided in Colonia for the past 50 years.

Mrs. Hillyer was employed as a School Bus Aid for handicap children with Dapper Bus Company in Iselin prior to her retirement.

She was a communicant of Saint Helena's Catholic Church in Edison; loved trips to the Poconos and Atlantic City; playing cards with her friends; and watching television gameshows.

Carmella was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Dorothy Pentimone Tedesco; sisters and brothers, Theresa, Mary, Felix, Anna, Angie, Dottie and Nick.

Surviving are her husband of 67 years and love of her life, William Hillyer;  daughters, Darlene VanGlahn and her husband, John, of Colonia and Linda Fonseca of Woodbridge; sons, William Hillyer and his wife, Teresa, of Scotch Plains and Joseph Hillyer and his wife, Arlene, of Colonia; son in law, Gus Fonseca of Elizabeth;  sister, Rose Catalon, of Clark; brother, Michael Tedesco, of Avenel; grandchildren, Jonathan, Lindsey and her husband, Tom, Joey, Justin, Nicole and her fiancé, Andrew, Lauren and her fiancée, Alyssa, Jesse, Rourke and Megan; great granddaughter, Charlotte; and many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will take place on Monday, January 22, 2024 at 9:15 a.m. from Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel. A Mass of Resurrection will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Helena's Catholic Church, Edison. Cremation will be private. Visitation for family and friends will be on Sunday afternoon from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home.