Obituary of Gladys Mary Pulsinelli

Gladys Pulsinelli, 89, of Washington, NJ, passed away at home on November 10, 2021. Born January 13, 1932 to Beatrice (Stecker) and Joseph Simmons of Washington, she was a lifelong area resident. Gladys was an only child but had many aunts and uncles in North Jersey and would take the train for visits with them.

She was married on October 27, 1951 to Joseph Pulsinelli. In 1960 Gladys, Joe and their two young daughters moved into the home in Washington Township, NJ, that he built, and where she lived the rest of her life. She never missed her daughter’s field hockey games or her grandsons’ sporting events, and attended matches and games to cheer for great-nieces and great-nephews as well.

On weekends you would find Gladys and Joe at the stock car races rooting for their favorite driver, and she continued to follow auto racing until the end. An avid tennis player, she continued to play to the age of 76. Gladys was known for taking her friends to their appointments, caring for elderly family members, and traveling with her family, including trips throughout the nation with her aunts, and summer vacations at Wildwood Crest. She also enjoyed planting flowers, cooking for her family, and Mount Airy Lodge where she could be found at her favorite slot machine. She shared her home with a several cats over the years including Nicky, the one-eyed stray she rescued in early 2019.

She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years in 2007, and by grandson Billy Risko in 2011. Gladys is survived by daughters Kathleen Risko and husband William, and Loretta Pulsinelli and partner Thomas Hofgesang; grandsons Kyle and Joseph Risko; and nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Monday, November 15, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Knoll-DeVoe Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 142 W. Washington Ave. Washington, NJ 07882. Service of Remembrance will begin at 1:00 pm in the funeral home, with burial to follow at St Joseph’s Cemetery. To send condolences to the family please visit www.knolldevoefh.com

Memorial contributions can be made to Common Sense for Animals and its campaign to build a new shelter at https://buildtheshelter.org.