Giulia  Herbst obituary

Giulia Herbst Obituary

Morristown, New Jersey, United States

March 29, 1942 - November 01, 2022

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Giulia  Herbst obituary

Giulia Herbst Obituary

Mar 29, 1942 - Nov 01, 2022

This obituary is administered by:

Giulia Herbst, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died peacefully on November 1, 2022, following a long illness.  She was eighty years old and a longtime resident of Morristown, NJ.  Giulia is survived by her husband of 55 years, Edward Herbst; her daughter, Audrey, and her husband, Paul Malmont, and their children Nathaniel and Wes, and her son, Karl, and his wife, Allison, and their children Hayden and Henry, all of Los Angeles.  She is also survived by her brother, Francesco Ioele, of Sapri, Italy, as well her brother, Luigi Ioele, and her cousin, Adriana Harrington, whom she considered her sister, both of Long Island.

Born Giuliana Ioele on March 29, 1942, in Belvedere di Spinello, Italy, she emigrated to Brooklyn, NY, with her family as a teenager.  A gifted student and avid reader, she skipped two grades and graduated at the age of 15 from the convent school in Florence that she attended with her adored cousins, Adriana and Philomena, before studying chemistry in Italy and at Long Island University.   Throughout her life, she wore many hats, from being a special needs teacher to owning a sneaker store, but most important to her was her roles as wife, Mom and Nonna - and she gave those her infinite energy and love.

Giulia’s gift for gab was something to behold and what those knew her will remember most about her.  She made friends wherever she went, learning things about people that seemed impossible given they had just met.  She would then turn those encounters into connections to bring people together.   She also brought people together with food.  Her baked ziti and chicken cutlets were legendary.  No one was allowed in a kitchen without her, and no one would leave her house hungry.  And everyone knew that she’d arrive at their house carrying a bag filled with people’s favorite dishes - even smuggling soppresata on a plane to bring to Karl in LA.

Giulia was a bit of a whirlwind, and so was her romance with her husband, Ed.  Her best friend at work happened to be Ed’s cousin, Vera Chaplin, who introduced them in July - and they were engaged by Thanksgiving.  He describes having fallen in love with her the moment he met her.  And that love gave them more than 55 years together.  Ed felt that Giulia’s gab and whirlwind nature helped, supported and cared for him; in turn, he provided that for her once they learned of her illness.

The family plans a private remembrance of Giulia, but as she could turn anything into a story, we’d love if people would share their stories and photos of her in the guest book here.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association.

You can to the family or in memory of Giulia Herbst.
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Allison Herbst
Allison Herbst
Nov 08, 2022

On Tuesday the world became a little less bright with the passing of my mother-in-law, Giulia Herbst. She was a wonderful woman who we cruelly lost to Alzheimer’s. She treated me like family from the first moment we met. She flew out to help me when I gave birth to my first son. She took care of me when I was sick and just loved me. She always gave herself to other people generously. This weekend I plan on celebrating her by making a big pot of sauce (just like she taught me) with a side of thinly sliced fennel with olive oil and sea salt (also just like she taught me) and raise a glass of wine to an extraordinary woman. And though I have cried tears over the loss of her, I will do this while remembering all the wonderful memories I have of her. Giulia you will be missed by all who knew you.

Nathaniel Malmont
Nathaniel Malmont
Nov 06, 2022

There’s no shortage of amazing and fun stories I can tell of my Nonna. There were all the times we would feed the birds down by pond, all time we would fall asleep watching endless rom-coms on the sofa, or all the times that she would give a nice but slightly devious smile when together we would smuggle a Stella D’oro cookie together before dinner time. But I think one of my favorite stories of her highlights two of the best attributes she had: her everlasting kindness and perfect comedic timing… It was Thanksgiving many years ago, we had enjoyed a wonderful day at Nonna’s and Pop-pop’s eating a wonderfully cooked Thanksgiving feast. I remember helping Nonna set the table, making sure to get everything right. We had a lovely dinner full of warm food, warm smiles, and a gravy that live rent free in my mind how good it was. Later that evening, my Dad was showing Wes “The Empire Strikes Back” for the first time. The rest of the family were watching it in the background, instead focusing on conversations and company. Towards the climax of the movie, Luke is about learn a terrible truth about his mortal enemy, Darth Vader. Wes was completely engrossed in the film; my Nonna had her mind on something else. She quietly had gotten up and excused herself from the family room and unknown to us, she was ready for some Thanksgiving dessert. And right as Darth Vader delivered his immortal line, it was quickly overshadowed by my Nonna proudly announcing “Who wants some Pumpkin Pie”! And in one moment, Wes had missed one of the most memorable lines in movie history. And back in those days you couldn’t just rewind the movie; they had completely missed it. And Nonna’s had only one response to the moment: “What in the world can be more important than Pumpkin Pie on Thanksgiving”?! I remember laughing so hard I almost keeled over, with a piece of pie proudly in hand. While I miss my Nonna deeply, she was a kind, loving, and wonderful woman. Her impact on my life made me the man I am today; I am eternally grateful that she was my Nonna. I will cherish all of the time I spent with her. And above all, I’ll remember all of the times Nonna made her famous Spaghetti and Meatballs. It will always remain as my favorite dish…

Julie Ieraci
Julie Ieraci
Nov 05, 2022

So many wonderful memories shared with Aunt Giuliana. One of my best childhood memories was the time I spent at summer camp. I remember being afraid of everything, the lake and yes even the trampoline. Aunt Giuliana would talk to me and just give me the courage to just try something new and get out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful as I had the time of my life that summer. I will miss her laughter especially when she would get together with my mother and aunts. I will always remember our phone calls, when I became a new mother and was home on maternity. She had the best advice and always calmed me down. When I was looking for photos, I saw this one and I smiled through tears because I know these two beautiful ladies are together again.

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Matilde Doddato
Matilde Doddato
Nov 05, 2022

With Aunt Giuliana, for the first time in my life, I spent 15 days away from home and without my parents. Needless to say, with both Aunt Giuliana and Uncle Eddy I always felt at home. They have always been extremely kind and sweet to me. I remember that when I arrived at the airport they welcomed me with a huge sign with my name on it, I immediately hung it in my room when I returned to Italy and I still have it. The sweetness and confidence of aunt Giuliana was immediately clear to me - as soon as I arrived at her house, the first questions she asked me was which kind of food I did not like. I assumed that she would have not cooked it... it was the opposite! It was impossible to her that I did not like those things and her objective during those 15 days was to change my mind.. and she did! She was cooking with so much love that It was impossible not appreciate every single meal. Thanks to Aunt Giuliana I learned I valuable lesson - it does not matter if something does not meet my taste because with the right person who cares about me, sooner or later it will.

Alex Shipp
Alex Shipp
Nov 05, 2022

Her distinct accent and energy while telling a story is indelibly imprinted in my mind. I had no choice but to feel warmed and welcomed every time I was in a room with her. You can witness every bit of it in her children...

Adriana Harrington
Adriana Harrington
Nov 05, 2022

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters. Wherever You would call me.Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander And my faith will be made stronger In the presence of my Saviour. I will call upon Your name. Keep my eyes above the waves. My soul will rest in Your embrace. I am Yours and You are mine. Lyrics by hill song United. I will miss you everyday . I miss our talks as you were a sister to me. You were always in my corner throughout my life to help guide me. I will always love you and keep you in my heart forever. I have so many wonderful memories over the years but this is one from our childhood. Everyone knows I hate cheese . When we were in the academy in Italy the nuns would serve American cheese every Friday. I tried so hard to eat it and I would always throw up . Giuliana always felt bad for me and she did not want me to get in trouble with the nuns so when I asked her if she could please eat it for me - she always did . She always looked out for me and took care of me there and played the role of the mom to make sure we were all ok and keep us out of trouble . The funny part of this story is Titsi Mena also hated cheese and she would never eat it . She never asked Guliana, she just put it on her plate when she would turn her head . So when I asked, she was already so full but she did it for me anyway . It is a silly story, but it show what an amazing caring soul she is and how she always looked out for everyone .

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Alice  Caravello
Alice Caravello
Nov 05, 2022

So When Tomorrow starts without me Do not think we’re apart For every time you think of me Remember I’m right here in your heart Author: David M Romano We will always remember your smile and that great laugh , your love of cooking you shared with us all and your thoughtful advise . I have such fond memories of when Julie and I spent a few weeks one summer with you . You took such great care of us and we were not easy at all because we missed home . You took us to camp where you were a counselor each day and pushed us out of our comfort zone which opened our eyes to so many wonderful new experiences. Julie and I are forever grateful for your love and all the memories that we will cherish always .

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Frank Scerra
Frank Scerra
Nov 05, 2022

You will always be missed.

Frank added a image

Diane Schmid
Diane Schmid
Nov 04, 2022

Our family was close to Giulia and Ed from before we were married...we go way back. My kids consider them family, see below. It was during a difficult time, and I will always be grateful for the help she gave Jason. And for the many meals she created, always assuring me "It was easy..." and go on to tell me the details, which I knew I would never attempt to do! Yes, I remember the talks on the "smoking" couch when they took me in too, after a difficult incident. And the many wonderful meals, lovingly prepared, including the Thanksgiving meal with them after Dick Schmid died. She was a generous, caring friend, and I am glad to have known her. She leaves many stories and memories behind. She was loved and will be missed. Peace.

Jason Schmid
Jason Schmid
Nov 04, 2022

ok, here goes. I wanted to share just a small moment in time - from half a lifetime of memories. Before I was born, my father’s best friend got married - to Giulia. And so, from the time I was born, Giulia was a fixture in my life. Our families shared countless moments together, but the moments I will cherish the most are from the better part of a year I spend living in Giulia and Eddie’s home. I was all of 20 years old. I was just out of school and trying to figure out what to do with myself. Yet somehow Giulia and Eddie thought it would be ok for me to move into Karl’s room since he was still at Clemson, while I did some youthful soul searching. The upstairs of the house in Morristown was totally vacant; Audry had long ago moved out, Karl at school, and Eddie & Giulia had moved downstairs into the addition they’d built for Eddie’s parents years before, who had since both passed. During the days I’d go to some sort of McJob; waiting tables or cooking food at a catering company. But most evenings, I’d share a glass of wine with Eddie and we’d potter around the edges of the kitchen standing in one doorway or another, as Giulia was working her magic at the stove (unless Eddie was trying out some fantastically complicated recipe, (during such times Giulia had learned by then was best to just stand aside for). So many of the things I know about food, and how to cook, came from those precious evenings and weekends in Morristown. But after dinner, the truth of why they’d let me stay with them would come to the fore; Eddie would retire to the primary bedroom, and Giulia and I would move to a narrow sliver of a room off the front of the house. As kids, this was the playroom, and at diner parties, we kids would hold up in there watching tv or VHS movies, listening to music, or playing board games. But now, even though neither of us should have been, Giulia and I were both smokers, and in a move that only Giulia could have made, she had convinced Eddie to allow her to use this tiny room as her personal ‘smoking lounge’ in an otherwise decidedly non-smoking home. Only now, she had a partner in crime - me. As Karl has said, Giulia had a gift for gab, and combined with her joy in playing the part of the wise soothsayer, (which she did well) we spent countless hours in that chilly room; borrowing cigarettes from one another, wrapped up in blankets, and talking through the early hours of the morning - Giulia would have a captive audience of one. This, to me, was Giulia in her most essential element: bellies full, cigarettes lazily smoldering, and sage advice flowing feely. And no doubt, this was why she’d let me live in her house. While she gave me the gift of herself, her time, her worldly advice (which she never ran short of), and her love of food - I gave her someone who was perfectly primed to receive those gifts, and I will cherish those memories forever.

Wes Malmont
Wes Malmont
Nov 04, 2022

I have so many memories of watching movies and spending time with her, but I think I’ll just stick to one of my favorites. I remember we were all over for thanksgiving, and after the meal we decided to watch The Empire Strikes Back while we waited for desert. We were having a great time, and since it was my first time watching it, I was thoroughly hooked on it with the family. I was watching in bated breath as the iconic “Luke, I am your father” scene approached, and as a little kid I had no idea of what the reveal would be. Right as the line was about to be spoken, she walked in with two trays full of tarts and blocked the screen, and everyone burst out laughing, as it was so perfectly timed you’d think it was rehearsed. The rest of that movie was way better with that tart.

Bery Ung
Bery Ung
Nov 03, 2022

Giulia and I met while working at the World’s fair 1964-1965 located in Flushing Meadows, Flushing, NY. We worked for the Greyhound corporation as information guide. Our uniform were yellow and styled after the airline stewardess. Our other friend Lonnie and us were known as the Golden Girls. The three of us were inseparable. Our friendship started from working there to now. We all went thru dating, marriages, motherhood and to our golden age. Will miss you my friend, I missed those weekly calls talking about nothing and everything. We have so many memorable stories and tribulations that I will always treasured and remembered.

Paul Malmont
Paul Malmont
Nov 03, 2022

So many great stories to tell. She'd endlessly watch Bambi with the kids - always fast-forwarding through the scene where his mother is shot. Rolling mini chicken meatballs with Wes. Taking Nathaniel from us in the middle of the night so we could get some sleep. Teaching me to change diapers. Love her and miss her.

Patricia Todd
Patricia Todd
Nov 03, 2022

In 2003, we spent a delightful day in Italy with Giulia and Ed. That day we drove together to Volterra and the Saturnia hot springs for a soak. We had a lot of fun talking, eating and getting to know each other. We are so sorry to hear of her passing and our thoughts are with Ed and his family. Glenn and Patty Todd

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