Naomi C. (Nee Wirdzek) Desiderio

Naomi C. Desiderio (Wirdzek), 71, of Cranford died on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Clark Nursing & Rehabilitation surrounded by family. A loving spirit filled with great faith and a wild imagination. First and foremost, she was a devoted mother who inspired her 3 children with her immense dedication, faith, and love. Mom saw the good in everyone and never had a negative word to say about anyone. She loved life and especially loved being a mom! Being a mom was her most fulfilling role, however, she had many other notable accomplishments.
Mom graduated Seton Hill College with a B.A. in English and a M.A. in English Literature from Indiana University, both in western Pennsylvania not far from where she grew up in Blairsville. She later went on to research, write, and publish 2 novels, Hell at Sea and the sequel, Reunion. Her research took her on many adventures where she traveled extensively and met numerous WWII veterans and their families. She hosted history in our home as many major historical figures came to dine at our humble, little dining table.
Mom's love for history and reading brought her to work at both the Garwood and Cranford libraries. She loved being around books as her curiosity and yearning for self-educating was endless. She gave frequently to the Disabled Veterans and volunteered many years at Menlo Park Veteran's Home in Edison where her visits lifted many spirits. Loving the sea and the navy, Mom began signing off as Sailor at Heart. She believed we are all veterans of our own personal wars. She never left anyone behind.
Mom also loved God and his word. She dedicated herself to teaching Sunday school 8th grade confirmation classes for many years at St. Ann's Church in Garwood, NJ and then later through St. Theresa's in Kenilworth, NJ brought the eucharist to those who could not get to church to receive. We always believed she had a direct line to God, closer than any of us could imagine.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Mr. James V. Desiderio, her brother and his wife, Philip and Annie Wirdzek along with their two sons, Adam and Daniel Wirdzek, of Virginia, children, Philip J. Desiderio of Clark, NJ, Laura T. Dobrin and husband, Scott Dobrin and their two daughters, Maya M. Desiderio and Leah C. Dobrin of Cranford, NJ, and Vincent T. Desiderio and his wife Aviva Desiderio of Carlisle, PA.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11 am mass at St. Raphael's in Livingston, NJ. . In lieu of flowers, a donation in her name may be made to Menlo Park Veterans Memorial Home at 132 Evergreen Road, Edison, NJ 08837.
The live stream link for the service is, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86295694746?pwd=UlpBSTRHaVJ6Q3VmSDJ2ZzNFK29sQT09