Obituary of Concetta Rita Zgoda

Concetta Rita Zgoda, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on June 17, 2025, at Holy Family Manor in Bethlehem, PA, surrounded by her loving family.

Connie was born on April 15, 1935, in Buffalo, NY. She was the daughter of the late Carmelo and Domenica (Tantillo) Natoli and was a former resident of Clinton, NJ. She was a proud first-generation Sicilian-American. She was class valedictorian at Grover Cleveland High School in Buffalo, NY.  She received her paralegal training as she raised her family. Connie was passionate about the legal profession and worked as a paralegal with Coughlin Duffy through the age of 85. 

She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale, NJ.  She was extremely devoted to her Roman Catholic faith, was a gifted cook, and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe and the Caribbean with her husband. A favorite tradition was a summer vacation spent with family in Ocean City, NJ.

Connie is survived by her loving husband of 67 years E. James Zgoda, son Mark Zgoda and wife Nancy Jo of Phillipsburg, NJ, daughter Sharon Zgoda of Pottstown, PA, daughter Diane Holt and husband Gary of Annapolis, MD and daughter-in-law Susan Zgoda of Wake Forest, NC. Grandchildren Brittany Paivanas and husband Nicholas, Matthew Holt and wife Heather, Mary Birkbeck and husband Christopher, Molly Zgoda, Teresa Zgoda, Annie Gillespie, Justin Zgoda and wife Janice, Ellie Zgoda and fiancé Robert Marron, and Mark Zgoda, Jr.  Great-grandchildren Alexander and Samuel Paivanas, Tillie Holt, and Harper Birkbeck. She is also survived by several loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. Connie was predeceased by her son James Zgoda.

A viewing is scheduled for Monday, June 23 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Martin Funeral Home, 1761 State Route 31, Clinton, NJ 08809. A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, June 24 at 10:00 AM at the Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ 08801. Entombment will immediately follow at the Immaculate Conception Mausoleum. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Concetta’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital (Please Click Here to Donate)or the charity of your choice.