Elizabeth Berardi

Elizabeth E. “Betty” Berardi, 95, of Fords, was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, April 17, 2026. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Betty was born on March 16, 1931 in Sayreville. She loved roller skating in her teens and frequented the roller rink in Perth Amboy where she met the love of her life, James. They married in 1948 when Betty was 17 and Jim was 20 and they had 5 children. They lived first in Perth Amboy and later moved to Old Bridge, where they hosted many family picnics and dinners

When their children were grown, they retired to Florida where they resided until returning to NJ in 2018.

Jim and Betty bought a trailer in the 1970’s and travelled across the country. They loved to vacation with friends and host dinner parties at their home. They had a large circle of close friends, who they were blessed to share many laughs with.

She and Jim could be found in the kitchen making delicious Italian meals together. They especially enjoyed making homemade ravioli for their family at Christmas. Betty also made incredible Polish food and was well known for her delicious golubki.

Betty was the best grandma any grandchild could ask for. You could always find her having sleepovers with the grands, playing Super Mario Brothers and Donkey Kong on Nintendo, riding the rollercoasters with the grands at amusement parks, and going on outings to the mall, an excursion lovingly referred to as “going bumming” where she and her granddaughters would wear their sweaters over their shoulders and buttoned at the neck, holding hands and swinging their arms back and forth. There was never a moment where her family did not feel the depth of her love!

Betty was a communicant of Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Avenel.

She worked for Lumured, a company that was known for iconic vintage handbags from the 1950’s and 1960’s, on the assembly line. She also worked for Indiana General in Woodbridge, soldering circuit boards for overseas military equipment and later as an associate of JC Penney in Florida in the 1980’s.

Betty joined the Women’s Auxiliary of the Old Bridge Knights of Columbus, St. Thomas the Apostle Church Council #4815 in 1966 where she served in the capacity of both President and Vice President between 1967 and 1985. Upon moving to Florida, she became a Charter Columbiette for the Knights of Columbus of St. Sebastian Catholic Church Council #8009.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 74 years, James Berardi; parents, Michael Piatkowski and Stella Atamborski Grabczewski; step-father, Benjamin Grabczewski; and siblings, Michael Piatkowski, Edward Piatkowski, Lorraine Anderson, Nancy Bauman, Veronica Predmore, Margaret Kalman and Benjamin Grabczewski, and grandchildren Gene Cornell and Danielle Cheslock.

Surviving are her daughters and sons in law, Diana and John Mansfield of Fords, Linda and Gene Cornell of Sebastian, FL; sons and daughters in law, James and Judy Berardi of Leland, NC, Richard and Diane Berardi of Seaside Heights and David and Donna Berardi of Dayton. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Sunday, April 26th, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Costello-Koyen Funeral Home, 399 Avenel Street, Avenel.

A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:45 a.m. on Monday, April 27th at Saint Andrew Catholic Church, 244 Avenel St., Avenel. Cremation will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s name to Hackensack Meridian Health Hospice by visiting GiveHMH.org/hospice or calling (844) 464-9355.