Jennie Kava

Jennie Kava, fiercely independent, fastidious and feisty, died Saturday, June 6, 2026. She lived a long, full and happy life, centered around her family, her faith and the New York Yankees. Born on December 20, in Jersey City to Louis and Nancy (Manzo) Fontanelli, Jennie was the second of three girls. She often shared memories of her years growing up, the smell of bread baking at the bakery on the corner, playing stickball in the street with neighborhood boys, and listening to – and attending – Yankees games with her Dad. In 1952, Jennie graduated from James J. Ferris High School, where her fellow seniors voted her Class Flirt and described her as “pretty as a picture and twice as sweet… (and) one of the most popular girls in our class.” Jennie was a secretary on Wall Street after graduation, and met her future husband, Michael Robert Kava, during the summer of 1955 at Arcola Pool and Swim Club in Paramus. They married at Holy Rosary Church in Jersey City on September 19, 1959, a union that lasted for 59 years until Bob’s death on April 26, 2018. He often teased Jennie about being older (by six months), sang “Hey, Good Lookin” as she cooked supper, and filled her life with flowers. Jennie resumed her career in 1974, processing water bills for the borough of Wallington. She served the borough for 26 years. Her life revolved around her family. Jennie and Bob especially enjoyed the summer days spent down the shore with their children, nephews, and niece. When her nephews and niece began families of their own, their children loved Aunt Jen and Uncle Bob just as their parents did. Jennie enjoyed reading, especially “my newspapers,” The Record and The New York Times, and she attended Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, where she was a long-time member of its Share and Care ministry. She was a terrific cook, with homemade pizza and her mom’s recipe for Italian cookies at Christmas among her specialties. Hosting Easter Sunday dinners for her extended family was a true joy, even when the occupants of “the kids’ table” teased about her delicious yet oddly meticulous baked ziti. She'd give them one of her looks and defended her choice to arrange the tubes of cooked pasta in straight lines, layer by layer. A place for everything, and everything in its place! Jennie had a special bond with her granddaughter, Michelle, which grew stronger when Michelle and her standard poodle moved back to her childhood home in the summer of 2023.Gram loved the time she spent with them, and when Brianne joined the family, she once again enjoyed vegetables from her own backyard, as she did when her husband was alive. Their love, support and countless meals – Michelle is a very good cook was Jennie's frequent refrain – allowed her to remain at home in Wallington as she wished for as long as possible. Her family extends its thanks for the care and compassion that Jennie received from the staff of Brighton Gardens at Saddle River for the past three months. In addition to her husband, Jennie was predeceased by her parents; nephew, John J. “Jay” Lennon Jr.; brother-in-law, John J. “Jack” Lennon Sr.; and sister Lucille (Fontanelli) Lennon. Jennie is survived by her sister, Rose Marie Fontanelli; her son, Michael Kava (Michele Dendrinos); her daughter, Janine Kava; her granddaughter, Michelle Kava (Brianne Hartmann); and great-granddog, Emmitt. She also is survived by other relatives and loved ones, including her nephew and godson James (Eileen) Lennon; nieces, Nancy (Bernard) Frain, and Patricia (Jay) Lennon; and their children and grandchildren. Relatives and friends may call from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 12, and 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Kamienski Funeral Home, 106 Locust Ave., Wallington. Funeral mass will occur at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 13, at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, 127 Paterson Ave., Wallington. Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Saddle Brook. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Jennie’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (www.stjude.org).